Aspirin is seen by many to be something of a wonder drug; it does much more than bring relief to minor aches and pains. With the right aspirin dosage it may also help with other health issues.

When the aspirin is helpful the most

Aspirin tends to be the ‘go to’, over the counter medicine for mild pain, fever and inflammation. However in recent years studies have shown that in the right dose aspirin has a place in keeping the heart health and even in prevention of diseases including Alzheimer’s and Colon cancer. It is unwise to just start dosing yourself with aspirin – taken in excess it has been known to cause stomach ulcers and bleeding – your doctor will prescribe the correct dose for your condition. There are a wide variety of conditions where daily aspirin dosage has been found to be helpful and these include –

• Gout.
• Inflammation due to arthritis or infection.
• Protection of heart health.
• Reducing the risk for dementia.
• Reducing the risk for colon cancer, gall bladder disease and other cancers.
• Protection of the teeth and reduced risk of periodontal disease

Aspirin comes in several forms meaning including ‘melt on the tongue’ which appears to lessen the gastrointestinal risk of the drug. This variety means you can choose the way in which you take the medicine. Whilst it is always advisable to seek your doctors advise there are some aspirin dosages which are agreed as safe to use by experts. These would include –

• 300-1000mg up to four times a day for the relief of aches and fevers.
• 75 – 325 mg daily for maintenance of heart health.

Aspirin side effects

As with all medications which are taken either short or term long term there can be some side effects with any aspirin dosage –

• Do not suddenly stop taking daily aspirin as you may experience a rebound effect.
• Risk of stomach ulcer or other gastrointestinal disorders.
• Vomiting and nausea. If accompanied by a rash, disorientation, sleepiness or other unexplained symptoms then immediate medical attention should be sought.
• Too much aspirin can affect urine sugar levels in diabetics.
• There are a number of medical conditions which mean that aspirin dosage therapy should only be used under the supervision of your doctor – these would include asthma; kidney or liver disease; anemia; ulcers; hemophilia. It may also interfere with some drugs in your regime which your doctor will advise you about.
• Pregnant and lactating women should always avoid any aspirin dosage.
• Aspirin should not be given to under 16s due to the risks of developing Reyes syndrome.

Whilst there is much research which indicates that aspirin is totally safe and many sources state that a daily aspirin dosage is good for almost everyone it is extremely important not to self medicate but rather discuss all of your concerns with your own doctor who is a specialist and has access to all of your medical history – this is especially important if you have any of the ‘red flag’ conditions or are taking any other medications.