Everyone knows that regular use of aspirin can lead to stomach ulcers. Some people think it's all about acid, because aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid. Well, and like, if a little neutralize acid with magnesium hydroxide or buy more expensive buffered aspirin, you can protect against ulcers. No, brothers. It won't work that way. Aspirin does not burn holes in the stomach, it works much worse.
Prostaglandins
We have already discussed with you a million times these protective prostaglandins in the stomach. Let's add a few more useful properties here.
Prostaglandins cause the stomach lining to secrete more mucus. The more mucus, the better the protection of the stomach from adverse factors that tend to make a hole in it.
Stimulation of the production of soda in the gastric mucosa. Yes, the stomach produces mucus, and under this mucus and in this mucus there will still be bicarbonate, that is, soda. It neutralizes acid. There is no contradiction in this.
Imagine it all in layers. On the surface of the stomach lies soda mixed with mucus, and then acid with enzymes. The acid does not usually come into contact with the soda through mucus and therefore no continuous soda formation occurs. It's just that those individual acid molecules that break through the mucus to the surface of the stomach, bump into the baking soda and are neutralized.
Well, that is, if you have effervescent tablets at home, then this is usually a mixture of citric acid with soda. While they are dry, nothing sizzles or foams. The reaction will start only on contact with water.
So in the stomach there are soda and hydrochloric acid next to it, but the mucus separates them so effectively that we usually don't get a fizzy in the stomach, and the foam does not come out of the mouth.
Prostaglandins cause the mucous membrane to produce phospholipids. This is another protective layer on the surface of the stomach. It's like an extra layer of clothing.
If someone pours acid with caustic enzymes on you and offers to choose to protect yourself with one T-shirt or a T-shirt with a jacket, then choose two layers of clothing. It is safer. Therefore, the stomach is more reliably protected from acid by a layer of mucus together with a layer of phospholipids.
Prostaglandins dilate blood vessels. The more oxygen and nutrients comes with the blood into the cells of the gastric mucosa, the stronger they will be and the better they will resist any damaging factors. This is very similar to the formation of vascular leg ulcers. Remember this story? There, less blood flowed to the legs, and ulcers were obtained. It's about the same thing in the stomach.
Migration of epithelial cells. Prostaglandins cause cells on the surface of the stomach to quickly fill in any holes and connect with each other, forming a tight barrier. It turns out that the ulcer heals faster than it appears.
The cages are like soldiers running to help their fellow soldiers on the battlefield. If the assistants did not run, but walked slowly, then all the colleagues would have been killed. But the assistants are running. Prostaglandins make them move faster.
Reproduction of cells. In addition to causing cells to escape, prostaglandins also cause them to multiply faster. The larger the army of such cells, the more difficult it is to break through the defenses and make an ulcer.
What is wrong with aspirin
If conventional anti-inflammatory drugs temporarily spoil the enzymes that make prostaglandins, then aspirin spoils them tightly. So it will take 4 to 8 days to wait for the restoration of protective prostaglandins.
When are we going to stop drinking aspirin?
It depends on when you plan to die.
How much aspirin do you think can harm your stomach? Only 10 milligrams per day. This is several times less than the smallest heart aspirin tablets.
Does this mean everyone should throw out their hearty aspirins? No. The risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke is usually higher than the risk of dying from stomach bleeding.
Therefore, brothers, if you do not want to die from a stroke with a heart attack, then you will have to swallow aspirin and, very possibly, you will have to protect the stomach.
Well, it is clear that if the cardiologist did not prescribe aspirin for you to prevent a heart attack, then you do not need to start eating it yourself. Because in such a situation, the risk of dying from gastric bleeding will be higher than the risk of dying from a heart attack. Got it?
