In the eyes of many people, aspirin is a "panacea", and even "experts" suggest in health care programs: all elderly friends take small doses of aspirin for a long time, which can achieve the effect of "treating diseases and strengthening the body without disease".
But there are also studies that have shown that for middle-aged and elderly people with a moderate risk of cardiovascular disease, the overall risk of taking aspirin outweighs the benefits. So what are the facts?
Aspirin, which has always been regarded as a "star drug", has suddenly embarked on the "black and red" route, which has been repeatedly questioned by the public. Investigating the root causes, the reason why aspirin fell into this "storm" mainly came from the large-scale clinical trial reports published by harvard and Oxford at the annual meeting of the European Society of Cardiology in August 2018.
The ASCEND trial, which included more than 15,000 diabetics over the age of 40, was closely followed up for 7 years from 2005 and found that although aspirin reduced the risk of severe cardiovascular disease by 12%, it also increased the risk of major bleeding by 29%.
The HARVARD-LED ARRIVE trial, which recruited more than 12,000 middle-aged and elderly volunteers (no history of cardiovascular disease, but the risk of disease is intermediate), was closely followed for 10 years, and finally found that taking aspirin did not have a satisfactory effect on reducing serious adverse events such as myocardial infarction, stroke, cardiovascular and other causes of death, only 4%.
As soon as the report was issued, the Network began to "fry the pan", and aspirin was also caught in controversy, passing around, and the information presented in the end and the information drawn from the report was seriously inconsistent. Originally, the conclusion of the study only said that for middle-aged and elderly people with moderate risk of cardiovascular disease, the risks of taking aspirin outweighed the benefits, but in the end, they were interpreted as "aspirin has no benefit to patients".
In this regard, the famous cardiovascular expert Hu Dayi also expressed his own views: as long as there is a risk of thrombosis and plaque rupture, especially patients who have had cardiac stents or bypass, as well as patients who have suffered from myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke, they should take aspirin according to the doctor's advice, and the benefits outweigh the risk of bleeding.
So, don't be misled by some rumors anymore.
Regarding aspirin, there have been several previous studies that have found that sticking to this drug can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, but most of them are studies in the United States. So for Chinese with different physiques, should they eat it?
Before answering this question, let's look at a 2019 study compiled by the University of Chinese in Hong Kong, China, which collated relevant data from 2000 to 2004, analyzing 204,000 adults (who took aspirin for at least 6 months) and more than 408,000 adults (who had not taken it), with an average age of 67.5 years, an average aspirin prescription period of 7.7 years, and an average aspirin dose of 80 mg.
In the end, it was found that those who took aspirin had a 29% lower risk of colorectal cancer than those who did not take aspirin; the risk of liver cancer, stomach cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer and other cancers also decreased differently; but the risk of kidney cancer, bladder cancer, and prostate cancer did not change; and the risk of breast cancer increased.
In addition, the 2020 Guidelines for Screening and Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Colorectal Cancer in China also recognize the results of this study.
But for whether to eat aspirin or not, we also need to be guided by a professional doctor, depending on the specific situation of the individual.
It is undeniable that aspirin is a "good medicine", but it is also a therapeutic drug, not a health care product, so it should not be eaten indiscriminately. Be sure to understand its precautions before taking it, so as not to endanger your own health.
1. Medication time and dosage
Taking aspirin is exquisite in terms of time and dosage, and it is recommended to take it on an empty stomach. Because the dosage forms currently sold on the market in China are basically aspirin enteric-coated tablets, taken after eating, due to gastric acid secretion, the casing of aspirin enteric-coated tablets may disintegrate in advance, thereby stimulating the gastric mucosa.
As for the dose, it is generally controlled at 75-100mg/ day (imported specifications 100mg / tablet, 1 tablet per day; domestic 25mg / tablet, 3-4 tablets per day can be), less effective, more can improve the risk of bleeding and other side effects.
2. Under what circumstances should the medication be discontinued?
In some special cases, aspirin should not be taken. If taken blindly, it may bring serious consequences, including the following 3 cases:
Active bleeding occurs, and the drug needs to be discontinued until the ulcer heals;
It should not be used after drinking alcohol, so as not to aggravate the damage to the gastric mucosal barrier and lead to gastric bleeding;
When taking certain medications, such as vitamin B1, taking them together can increase gastrointestinal response, or with methotrexate may enhance their toxicity.
3. Which groups of people are not suitable for use?
Not everyone can take this drug, the consequences of abuse are also serious, the following groups of people should not use aspirin:
(1) People with bleeding constitution or bleeding tendencies can aggravate the disease after taking it;
(2) Patients with gastric ulcers and gastric diseases should also be used with caution so as not to increase the risk of gastrointestinal damage and bleeding;
(3) Blind use in children may cause Reye's syndrome, without timely intervention, it can lead to liver and kidney failure, brain damage, extremely dangerous, and should be used with caution;
(4) Pregnant women take it within three months, which can cause fetal abnormalities;
(5) People who take nonsteroidal analgesics or glucocorticoids, combined with a variety of antiplatelets or anticoagulants and other drugs should not be taken, and are prone to gastrointestinal damage and bleeding.
Summary: Suitable people, follow the doctor's advice, standardize the use of aspirin, often the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, this is beyond doubt, we must correctly understand, do not believe the rumors, should take it.
Resources: [1] "Aspirin: Walking Down the "Altar", Still the "King"" . Southern Weekend.2018-10-26 [2] "Aspirin anti-cancer three consecutive times! The guide tells you Chinese eat or not? 》. Medical Oncology Channel.2021-02-18 3] Precautions for taking aspirin. Rational use of drugs in China.2021-01-11
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