When I was a young boy, I was enthralled with magic.
It amazed me that a man could cut a woman in half and then make her whole again with the wave of his hand. I was also amazed at how a magician could make things disappear and then reappear with a snap of his fingers.
I watched and watched and finally figured out what the magician was doing in the disappearing trick. So, I thought with a lot of practice I could become a master magician.
I began by making a small object in one hand move magically to the other hand without either hand touching the other. Yes, my trick was awkward at first, but after awhile I got pretty good at “sleight of hand.”
I graduated to putting small objects like an aspirin or a black-eyed pea in one ear and retrieving it from the other ear. Things were progressing pretty well until I talked my younger brother into trying the trick. He did, and I thought it was so funny when he stuffed his ear full of peas. The laughs turned to tears when my mother discovered what I had done. Let’s just say that sitting became a very difficult task.
Speaking of aspirin, did you know that it is quite the magician itself. Yes, the little white pill can do wonders. From relieving headaches, to slowing the growth of cancer, to combating acne and dandruff, aspirin has shown it is truly an all-purpose pill. I have learned through research that aspirin can even be used to remove stains and soap scum, patch drywall, clean your bathroom and charge a car battery.
Of all its magical uses, however, none serves us better than its ability to prevent heart attacks. Aspirin has been shown, when used daily, to lower the risk of heart attack, clot-related strokes and other blood flow problems in patients who have heart or blood vessel disease or have already had a heart attack or stroke. But remember, there are no directions on the label for using aspirin to reduce the risk of heart attack or clot-related stroke. Please check with your doctor before deciding that aspirin use is good for you.
If you have been using aspirin on a long-term basis, as in every day for weeks, months or years to prevent a heart attack, stroke or for any use not listed on the label without the guidance from your doctor, you could be doing more harm than good.
For someone having a heart attack, aspirin can be a life saver. If you believe you or someone else may be having a heart attack, call 911. Don’t ignore or attempt to tough out the symptoms of a heart attack. Time is of vital importance. Mayo Clinic suggests “you chew and swallow an aspirin, unless you are allergic to aspirin or have been told by your doctor never to take aspirin.” Aspirin may help maintain blood flow through a clot-filled artery by inhibiting blood clotting. In doing so, the magical pill could save your life.
We at the Tellico Village Volunteer Fire Department wish you well and encourage you to learn more about the “magic” of aspirin.
Bruce Johnson is an emergency medical responder with the Tellico Village Volunteer Fire Department.
