MARIO RITTER: In nineteen eighty-two, a British scientist shared the Nobel Prize in Medicine in part for discovering how aspirin works. Sir John Vane found that aspirin blocks the body from making natural substances alled">called andins">prostaglandins.
andins">Prostaglandins have several effects on the body. Some cause pain and">and the expansion, or swelling, of damaged tissue. Others protect the lining of the stomach and">and all">small intestine.
andins">Prostaglandins also make the heart, kidneys and">and blood vessels work well. But there is a problem. Aspirin works against
all
andins">prostaglandins, good
and
bad.
BARBARA KLEIN: Scientists have also learned how aspirin interferes with an enzyme. One form of this enzyme makes the prostaglandin that causes pain and swelling. Another form of the enzyme creates a protective effect. So aspirin can reduce pain and swelling in damaged tissues. But it can also harm the inside of the stomach and small intestine. And sometimes it can cause bleeding.
But a British study released in two thousand nine suggested that taking another drug with a small amount of aspirin may help reduce the risk of bleeding. If this proves true, it would help thousands of people who are seeking to prevent life-threatening conditions.
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MARIO RITTER: Many people take aspirin to reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke from blood clots. Clots can block the flow of blood to the heart or brain and cause a heart attack or stroke. Scientists say aspirin prevents blood cells called platelets from sticking together to form clots.
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2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25