Aspirin is used to relieve pain (though not severe pain), reduce fever and lower inflammations. It was discovered by the German company Bayer, in fact by a chemist called Felix Hoffmann who succeeded in producing acetylsalicylic acid in 1897.

Since then aspirin has been used all over the world. its most common use is still to relieve milder symptoms such as headache and toothache and to bring down fever. In recent years it's been suggested that people should take a little aspirin regularly as it is thought to reduce your chances of a stroke or heart attack. It does this mainly by preventing blood clots from forming.

However, taking large quantities of aspirin too often can sometimes cause bleeding in the stomach and increase the risk of stomach ulcers. While it's clear that taking aspirin to help ease pain is fine for almost anyone, it would be best not to start taking it regularly until you have spoken to a doctor.