What are the side effects of long-term aspirin use?
Disease description:
I have been taking aspirin for more than a week recently. May I ask, what are the side effects of long-term aspirin use?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Long-term use of aspirin may lead to the following side effects:
1. Gastrointestinal problems: Aspirin may irritate the gastric mucosa, causing gastrointestinal discomfort such as stomach pain, nausea, and indigestion. It can even lead to gastric ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding. This is because aspirin inhibits the production of prostaglandins that protect the gastric mucosa.
2. Increased risk of bleeding: Aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation, thereby prolonging blood clotting time. Long-term use may increase the risk of bleeding and impair coagulation function, manifesting as subcutaneous bruising, nosebleeds, and other bleeding phenomena.
3. Kidney function issues: Long-term use of high-dose aspirin may affect kidney function. Especially in individuals with pre-existing kidney problems, it may lead to kidney damage or acute renal failure.
4. Central nervous system impairment: Long-term aspirin use may cause damage to the central nervous system, presenting as headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, decreased vision and hearing, and in severe cases, symptoms such as confusion, seizures, and coma may occur.
In addition, aspirin may interact with various medications, such as anticoagulants and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), thereby enhancing their side effects.
