Aspirin Overuse Can Be Dangerous
Many patients who are treated for gastrointestinal bleeding fail to inform their doctor that they have been taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, says Basil Hirschowitz, M.D., a UAB gastroenterologist. ìIn 30 cases of patients with surgery for intractable ulcers, blood tests showed they had been taking aspirin. But half the patients denied using aspirin. So people may not realize aspirin is in the medicine they are taking, or they are in denial of the potential dangers of taking the drug.î Dangers of excessive aspirin use include ulcers of the upper GI tract, which are difficult to treat and will not heal unless aspirin is stopped. Senior adults are at particularly high risk of GI bleeding from NSAID use. Call Hank Black, Media Relations, 934-8938, or e-mail [email protected].
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