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Acetylsalicylic acid, more widely known as aspirin, is associated by most people with analgesic and antipyretic effects. Therefore, preparations containing this active substance are most often used for headaches and colds. Already Hippocrates recommended chewing willow leaves to relieve pain. However, Galen, known as one of the greatest physicians of antiquity, observed their therapeutic effect on inflammation and fever.
It was not until 1897 that a stable and pure form of acetylsalicylic acid was synthesized. This was due to the German scientist Dr. Felix Hoffmann, working in the Bayer laboratory. Over the years, new actions and uses for aspirin have been discovered. Today we know that acetylsalicylic acid can be successfully used not only in medicine, but also in cosmetics.
Acetylsalicylic acid in the service of the heart
Heart and circulatory diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. In 2012, they were responsible for 31% of all deaths. The prevalence of strokes and myocardial infarction mobilize doctors and pharmacists to look for new methods of combating the threat. In the last 20 years, an extremely important and groundbreaking discovery has been made in the prevention of dangerous blood clots, leading to angina pectoris, thrombosis or acute coronary insufficiency. headache medicine which is aspirin, has an exceptionally beneficial effect in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Regular intake of acetylsalicylic acid in small doses inhibits the adhesion of platelets to the walls of blood vessels and prevents them from sticking together. The lumen of the arteries is not blocked, thanks to which the blood can freely transport oxygen and nutrients to the brain and heart. It is recommended to take aspirin daily in doses of not less than 50 mg and not more than 160 mg per day. Taking such small amounts of the substance reduces the occurrence of side effects. Unfortunately, people struggling with peptic ulcer disease or hypersensitivity to aspirin must give up this beneficial therapy. The first effects of the treatment appear after 5-6 days, while after 10 days we can expect the optimal level of arterial protection. Prophylactic use of microdoses of acetylsalicylic acid is recommended to all people over 50 years of age and after a heart attack. The high effectiveness of aspirin in preventing heart attacks and strokes has resulted in the great popularity of this method around the world.Read also >> Aspirin – a remedy that cares for heart health | MedMe.pl
Aspirin in the fight against pain and cold
Aspirin has been very popular in the fight against pain for many years. In order to fully understand its operation, you must first answer the question of what causes a headache? The feeling of pain arises when our sensory receptors are properly stimulated by chemical, physical or thermal stimuli. As a result of tissue exposure to these factors, prostaglandins, substances responsible for inflammation, fever and pain, are released locally. A very common problem among adults is tension headache. Its occurrence is often associated with stress, overwork, insomnia or poor diet. If left untreated, it can last for many hours or even days, seriously hindering any functioning.Chronic headache, appearing more than 15 times a month, is a problem for as many as 1% to 3% of adults. Aspirin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, relieves both episodic and frequent headache. This is due to its ability to inhibit cyclooxyganase, which is the enzyme responsible for the formation of prostaglandins. Thanks to this, acetylsalicylic acid fights pain and reduces fever. Inhibiting the production of prostaglandins also results in the reduction of inflammation in the body. As a result, aspirin relieves unpleasant symptoms of colds and flu. The unique properties of acetylsalicylic acid have made it an inseparable component of many flu and cold preparations and painkillers.
Aspirin beauty treatments
We usually think of aspirin when we think about what will work the fastest and most effectively for a headache. Few people know that this substance is great for creating masks or tonics. It effectively cleanses the skin of the face and head of excess sebum, which is why it is recommended for people struggling with acne or dandruff. Thanks to the ability to dissolve in fats, it exfoliates dead skin cells from the surface of the epidermis and effectively cleanses the pores. In addition, aspirin soothes inflammation of the skin, has a disinfecting effect on it and dries purulent eczema. It is enough to dissolve 3-4 uncoated aspirin tablets in 1 tablespoon of water, and then leave the mask on the face for 20 minutes. We can also dissolve 15-20 tablets in 100 ml of water to get a refreshing tonic that will preserve the effects of the mask. Unfortunately, pregnant or lactating women and people hypersensitive to acetylsalicylic acid cannot use the treatment.
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Modern medicine continues to surprise us with new discoveries and achievements. They often consist in extending our existing knowledge about known substances, with new, surprising facts. This applies to e.g. aspirin, the effect of which turned out to be much richer than we had previously thought. Attention! The above advice is only a suggestion and cannot replace a visit to a specialist. Remember that in case of health problems, you should absolutely consult a doctor!