What are the uses of aspirin?
Mar 12, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Bai Hongmei
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, aspirin is available in various dosage forms including tablets, capsules, and powders. Its effects include antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, and prevention of colorectal cancer. It is recommended to use the medication as directed by a physician. When using aspirin, it is essential to strictly follow medical advice regarding dosage and duration of treatment. Do not adjust the dose or discontinue the medication arbitrarily to ensure therapeutic effectiveness and medication safety.
Generally, aspirin is available in various dosage forms including tablets, capsules, and powders. Its therapeutic effects include antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, and anti-rheumatic actions. If aspirin is required, it is recommended to use it under medical guidance. A detailed explanation is as follows:
1. Antipyretic Effect
Aspirin acts on the hypothalamic thermoregulatory center, promoting peripheral vasodilation, increasing skin blood flow, and enhancing perspiration, thereby helping to reduce fever caused by conditions such as the common cold or influenza. This assists patients in regulating their body temperature back to normal levels.
2. Analgesic Effect
Aspirin inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins and other substances that increase sensitivity to mechanical or chemical pain stimuli. It belongs to the category of peripheral analgesics and provides effective pain relief for mild to moderate headaches, dental pain, neuralgia, muscle pain, dysmenorrhea, and joint pain.
3. Anti-inflammatory Effect
During inflammatory reactions, aspirin inhibits the production and release of inflammatory mediators, thereby reducing symptoms such as redness, swelling, heat, and pain associated with inflammation. It is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, alleviating joint pain and swelling, and improving patients' quality of life.
4. Anti-thrombotic Effect
Aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation, thus preventing thrombus formation. It is widely used in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, such as coronary heart disease and cerebral infarction. It reduces the risk of disease onset and recurrence, and decreases the occurrence of severe events such as myocardial infarction and stroke.
5. Anti-rheumatic Effect
Aspirin's anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects work together on the pathological processes of rheumatic diseases, reducing the synthesis and release of inflammatory mediators, alleviating inflammatory responses and tissue damage in joints, and thus relieving symptoms such as joint pain and swelling. Additionally, aspirin prevents vascular complications that may arise from rheumatic diseases by inhibiting platelet aggregation and thrombus formation.
When using aspirin, it is essential to strictly follow medical instructions. Do not adjust the dosage or discontinue the medication without consulting a physician to ensure both therapeutic effectiveness and safety. Patients on long-term aspirin therapy should undergo regular follow-up evaluations, allowing physicians to adjust the treatment plan according to the patient's condition.
