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Homework Help: Health: Substance Abuse: Aspirin
by Emily McPherson
Chemical name: Accetysalicyclic acid
Generic name: Aspirin
Type of Drug: Analgesic e.g. pain killer
Short Term Effects
Aspirin is an example of how medical knowledge and the use of drugs
can change over years. Once though harmless, aspirin is no longer
recommended for children, since if they have certain infections, it may
be linked to the onset of a rare and dangerous condition known as Reye's
syndrome.
Adults that use aspirin have an immediate pain reduction, however,
research has shown that while it reduces pain, it doesn't reduce illness
or fever- it actually slows down the healing process.
Long Term Effects
Aspirin is not a drug of addiction, but regular abuse of aspirin can
become a prevalent bad habit.
People suffering from pain causing illnesses, injuries or diseases
often take toxic doses of aspirin regularly over long periods. Although
the suggested dose is 4 times a day, many people in suffering use it a
lot more. This relieves their pain almost automatically, but eventually
can bring on dizziness, mental confusions and bleeding.
Prolonged use of small amounts of aspirin may also interfere with
blood clotting.
Legal Status of Aspirin in Australia
Aspirin is a medical drug and is therefore easily available and legal in
all Australian states. Aspirin can be purchased over the counter at
most pharmacies by adults. It is not sold to people under 18.
What is it made from?
The main ingredient in aspirin is salicylic acid. This is found in
willow tree bark.
How is it taken?
There have been various different forms of aspirin for thousands of
years. The Greeks, for example, had a dissolvable form of aspirin over
2,500 years ago.
In 1899, Felix Hoffmann discovered a low cost method of producing
aspirin. He started an industry and introduced the world wide use of
aspirin in a tablet form.
Taking aspirin in a tablet form through the mouth or anus has proved
to be a valuable remedy.
Other Facts
Believe it or not, some people take aspirin to get "high". Ten years
ago there used to ads on television claiming that mixing aspirin with
Coca-Cola was guaranteed to give you a "buzz". This faulty reasoning
has led to serious and fatal overdoses by many thrill seekers. In 1985
aspirin was the drug of choice during suicide attempts.
Why is aspirin used?
Unlike other pain relievers that lower pain by acting on the nervous
system, aspirin acts at the point of pain. This makes it a helpful
remedy for quick pain and headache release.
When a fever or inflammation is present, aspirin reduces body
temperatures quickly by causing the blood vessels to dilute and weaken.
This reduces the pain/inflammation and relaxes the nervous system.
Can aspirin be good?
Research has shown that as aspirin reduces blood clotting, half an
aspirin a day may reduce heart attacks and strokes in some people. This
is still at an early stage of research and evidence is conflicting.
Homework Help: Health: Substance Abuse
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