Aspirin and Diving

[Noboundaries]

Very interesting thread. I usually take a couple Ibuprofen before diving, but it is for the aches and pains of my creaky body, not for body gas management. This thread sent me hunting for info and I found the following statement on another diver board.

I routinely use both aspirin and Ibuprofen when diving. The theory is that the aspirin makes the platelets "slicker", thereby decreasing the probability of aggregation (microsludging) and the Inburpofen, as an NSAID (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) decreases the inflammatory immune system response to decompression.

I cannot vouch for the validity of the information and would not offer medical advice about the effects on the body, but it is still an interesting thread. There was also a reference in the same thread to a Dive Training article about possible offgassing benefits of aspirin. I went looking for that reference and found the article below in the September 2008 Dive Training issue. It says there is no benefit from aspirin for DCS. You have to arrow down the page a while to find the ariticle. Aspirin does appear to help with DVT (blood clots, typically in the legs) when traveling, which is good to know.

September 2008 Volume 18 Number 9

 

[DandyDon]

Basically, noone will tell you that aspirin has been rumored to help prevent DCS by thinning the blood thus helping gas exchange, and noone will admit to eating four or more before deco dives. because of liablity reasons...

I'll tell you I heard it rumored. :silly: But that's not the reason I take it really. I do work at hydration just in case, tho.

Aspirin doesn't actually thin the blood does it? I always thought it just prevented the aggregation of platelets.

Yep, to an extent.

I'm NOT that kind of doctor. All I can say is that I've been on an aspirin regimen for 24 years and I have yet to get bent (but then I didn't before I started to take the aspirin). I can't give a medical opinion since the only creatures I'm "certified" to operate on are fishies and inverts.

Well the fact that you and I take aspirin and have never been bent doesn't prove anything other than we think it's a good idea. I take one 325 mg a day minimum, two on dive days more to reduce the chance of a cardiac event. But then I've been 59 for a few years and my regular bud is over 50. In general, my physician thinks it's a fine idea if there are no complications.

I think the main reason some go for the low dose is because some have problems taking the drug, intestinal bleeding and such. The weekend I was bullheaded enough to go diving with my newly certified GF even tho my leg hurt, I took more than I should have - when I should have been on the cell phone on the way to ER - but it probly saved my life. I was diagnosed with DVT the next day when I finally got my sorry ass to my doctor. Deep Vein Thrombosis | Vascular Disease Foundation

I carry a bottle in my dive bag in case of an cardiac event on the boat, but thats' iffy - for it were to be an aneurysm, it'd add to the problem. In an emergency tho, judgements are called.


Wait for the physicians to post, tho; they must all have something good to do this weekend but hopefully will chime in during the week to come.

 

[mselenaous]

Quotes from a couple of articles the DAN website.

"As for your question about aspirin, there are some side effects with its chronic use. Two important side effects of aspirin use include: a prolonged time in your body's ability to form blood clots, and the toxic effect aspirin can have on your hearing. It is not uncommon for individuals to experience ringing and nerve damage with long-term, high-dose aspirin usage. This is one of the reasons we suggest that individuals consult a physician about their medical problems and medication use, including over-the-counter medications like aspirin."

"NSAIDs / Aspirin: The use of anti-inflammatory medications for musculoskeletal problems is common. Allergic reactions to aspirin and non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been reported. Aspirin and NSAIDs (such as Motrin®, Naprosyn®, etc.) have negative effects on platelet clotting capability that can last up to one week. Theoretically, impaired platelet function may cause in increased bleeding in the event of barotrauma or even DCS. This has occurred in hemorrhagic lesions identified during the microscopic examination of spinal cords of animals experiencing DCS.

Conversely, before a dive, some divers take aspirin to decrease the ability of platelets to clot, preventing the cascade leading to DCS. This effect has prompted some physicians in the past to use aspirin and NSAIDs in the treatment of acute DCS. Today, neither aspirin nor NSAIDs are recommended by most dive physicians in treatment of DCI. A scientific study to determine whether they have any value in treating DCI is under way in Australia."

 

[gedmondson]

"Blood thinner" is a lay term which is misleading and does not accurately reflect the mechanism of action for commonly used anticoagulants. While it is indeed possible to infuse non-blood fluids, thereby diluting the clotting proteins and resulting in anticoagulation, the commonly used agents (warfarin, heparin) inhibit the production or activity of one or more of these proteins, reducing the coagulability of the blood. Aspirin inhibits platlet aggregation, an important step in clot development. There is no real "thinning" going on.

 

[DandyDon]

Thanks Mselenaous...!

Again, I was taking my experiences, opinions and physician's advise and sharing too freely. As always, DAN is a great source...!!

 

[OH-JJ]

No it is a mild blood thinner... One trick that I will admit to is taking aspirin when I go south, so that I don't feel as hot.

Ok I guess I might be wrong....

 

[super7]

aspirin inhibits platlet aggregation, an important step in clot development. There is no real "thinning" going on.

Gedmondson, accurate summarization!

Aspirin works as an antiplatelet agent when used between 75~325mg/day in adults. In higher doses, the antiplatelet properties are lost because the mechanism reducing the "stickiness" of the platelets also affect the "unstickiness" of the cells lining the interior walls of blood vessels.
(Can't recall the cutoff; I've got a bottle of champagne in my belly)

A number of studies analyzing multiple scientific studies suggests the optimum dose of aspirin for secondary prevention of ischaemic stroke is between 75~150mg/day. This is because aspirin, along with other NSAIDs;non steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, is a major cause of peptic ulcers. (Imagine what happens when you combine bleeding tendency with easy-to-bleed gastric ulcers, both caused by the same drug!) At higher doses, haemorrhagic complications negates the beneficial effect.

If you need to take aspirin due to some medical condition or other, don't stop.

BTW, with continuous haemorrhage thanx to NSAID related GU, you WILL have thinner blood - anemia-

 

[Dr. Doug Ebersole]

I've been trying to stay on the sidelines, but feel I have to speak up.

As a cardiologist, aspirin definitely does not "thin" the blood. That is simply a layman's term that is commonly used. As mentioned above, it actually works to inhibit platelet aggregation. There is no firm data whatsoever that aspirin prevents DCS. However, there is conjecture (not good clinical data) that the inflammation caused by DCS could result in platelet aggregation as a byproduct and this aggregation could cause blockage of blood vessels. That is why it is being studied.

The best advice is hydration, hydration, hydration ..... If you take aspirin for other reasons, by all means do not stop. However, there is insufficient data at the present time to recommend aspirin to prevent DCS.

 

[DandyDon]

Thanks Gedmondson & Debersole...!

Gedmondson, accurate summarization!

Aspirin works as an antiplatelet agent when used between 75~325mg/day in adults. In higher doses, the antiplatelet properties are lost because the mechanism reducing the "stickiness" of the platelets also affect the "unstickiness" of the cells lining the interior walls of blood vessels.
(Can't recall the cutoff; I've got a bottle of champagne in my belly)

A number of studies analyzing multiple scientific studies suggests the optimum dose of aspirin for secondary prevention of ischaemic stroke is between 75~150mg/day. This is because aspirin, along with other NSAIDs;non steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, is a major cause of peptic ulcers. (Imagine what happens when you combine bleeding tendency with easy-to-bleed gastric ulcers, both caused by the same drug!) At higher doses, haemorrhagic complications negates the beneficial effect.

If you need to take aspirin due to some medical condition or other, don't stop.

BTW, with continuous haemorrhage thanx to NSAID related GU, you WILL have thinner blood - anemia-

So the old "if a little is good, more is better" approach does not apply huh? One 325 mg is better than two in this instance? I have no idea what your qualifications are, but thanks for the heads up. At least I need to read up. :dunce:

 

[aascubagirl]

Very interesting and informative thread...thanks for sharing all the info and links! I've got some more reading to do...