Tylenol Side Effects Ibuprofen Side Effects
In the English language, people will often say that they are going to 'Take an Aspirin' even if they really mean Tylenol or Ibuprofen. When this site states
'Aspirin', it means Aspirin- it is
NOT interchangeable with Tylenol or Ibuprofen or any other over the counter pain reliever.
Since aspirin, like Ibuprofen and Tylenol, is so widely available in just about every drug and grocery store across the country, most people assume that aspirin is extremely safe. But is this really true?
Just because drugs are sold without a prescription and are widely available does NOT mean that they are safe. And aspirin therapy is a 'Case in Point' for this. Aspirin therapy is NOT safe, and could even be considered extremely dangerous. While everyone is warned about and knows about Vitamin D Overdose, a child could take an entire bottle of Vitamin D and not be harmed in the least! Aspirin therapy is not nearly as safe, and an overdose on aspirin is very likely to cause severe harm and probably even death in most cases.
Aspirin Side Effects
There are many many aspirin side effects. Some of them are less harmful, but some of them are deadly. In fact, in the 1970's, aspirin side effects made it one of the top ten drugs for adverse reactions! While some reactions are mild, aspirin side effects such as bleeding ulcers frequently sent people to the hospital where thousands every year DIE from aspirin side effects.
"…a recent large survey has listed aspirin
among the ten drugs most frequently involved
in adverse reactions."
Analgesics, Allergy and Asthma
Just because this study is old, though, doesn't make aspirin any safer. While aspirin doesn't make the top ten most dangerous drug list any more, that's only because there are many more dangerous drugs now. But not being in the top 10 doesn't make it 'safer'. On the contrary, the total incidence of Side Effects is likely to be higher because of its widespread use and larger NUMBERS of people taking it!
Just like the other drugs and nutrients on this site, only the most relevant and important Aspirin Side Effects will be discussed. All drugs, nutrients and even placebos have Common Side Effects like nausea, dizziness etc. Side Effects Site will not be discussing those. But here is the first side effect of aspirin that you are not likely to hear about anywhere else- even if you are at risk….
Aspirin Induced Asthma
One of the aspirin side effects that you may have NEVER heard of, but that is actually QUITE common, is aspirin induced asthma. In those who already have Chronic Asthma, aspirin and asthma just do not mix. Up to 25% of adults and children with asthma, may have aspirin induced asthma- and many don't even know it! And this is NOT a case where aspirin makes the asthma worse, but the aspirin actually INDUCES an asthma attack. Sometimes these asthma attacks can be deadly.
In fact, one study looked at people who came into the hospital with asthma and ended up on mechanical ventilation life support. The conclusion was that approximately 8% of these people were victims of aspirin induced asthma!! And the worst part is that this fact is NOT well known- even among asthmatics. So many of these Aspirin and Asthma cases may not even know that is their problem.
The sure-fire solution to this problem is easy.... don't take Aspirin, Ibuprofen or other 'NSAID's' if you have aspirin induced asthma. Now you know!
Reye's Syndrome
One of the side effects of aspirin that is serious but EXTREMELY rare is Reye's Syndrome. While it occurs without aspirin use as well, it is almost primarily seen in children who were given aspirin for high fever during a viral infection. Since this was discovered and parents were educated not to give their children aspirin, Reye's is rarely seen any more.
Do not give children with fevers any aspirin or aspirin containing products.
Bleeding
Bleeding is one of the aspirin side effects that is most serious and most well-known, but that is rarely taken into consideration as a problem until AFTER the person has had a bleeding episode from aspirin. Since aspirin thins the blood and is also an irritant to the stomach, it can actually cause damage to the stomach and/or small intestine that leads to ulcers.
If this were not bad enough, sometimes these ulcers will cause bleeding, and bleeding ulcers are NOT a good thing to have, yet taking aspirin daily, even when it is prescribed by your doctor, gives you about a 70% greater risk of bleeding. While occasionally ulcers bleed slowly and go unnoticed only to be found when the person is found to be anemic, often these ulcers cause SEVERE bleeding that requires a trip to the emergency room, blood transfusions and an overnight stay in the hospital. Bleeding ulcers are serious business that almost always require an emergency procedure to stop the bleeding, or even surgery.
In some cases the bleeding is SO bad and so much blood is lost that death is the result. Many people are extremely sensitive to bleeding from aspirin and need to avoid aspirin completely. Even children can have bleeding when given aspirin. Bleeding as one of the aspirin side effects is serious business that can have devastating effects.
Summary of Aspirin Side Effects
So, these are some of the more serious consequences of aspirin usage. Before you take Aspirin, please decide for yourself if the risks of these Aspirin Side Effects are worth the potential benefit for you in the long run. If your doctor has prescribed aspirin for you, then you can at least reduce the risk of bleeding by taking the minimum dosage possible and by using 'Enteric Coated Aspirin' which is much less irritating for the stomach.
While it may seem like it’s a good idea to bring down childrens' fevers with an over the counter medication like aspirin, this is NOT safe and it should NOT be done. But before you go and give yourself or your child Tylenol or Ibuprofen for pain or fever instead, you should make sure that you understand the side effects of THOSE drugs as well. So keep reading to find out about the Side Effects of Tylenol before you decide that's a better idea...
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