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Your concern is genuine, and there is definitely an increased risk factor of GI bleeding. The higher the aspirin dose, the higher the risk. Aspirin doubles the risk of upper GI bleeding at daily doses of 75 mg and quadruples it at doses of 300 mg.
Your BEST option as of right now is still the Proton Pump Inhibitor. Omeprazole is very effective in reducing both acute gastroduodenal mucosal damage and upper GI bleeding, and it's available without a prescription. The benefits outweigh the risks.
As I mentioned above, Aspirin contributes to GI bleeds by depleting prostaglandins. Thus, misoprostol (Cytotec), a synthetic prostaglandin, has also been tried to reduce this side effect..but it is rarely used because it can cause diarrhea and abdominal cramping.
However, I respectfully disagree with some of the things your doctor said, particularly about the Vitamin K... Aspirin is an antiplatelet drug i.e. it inhibits the aggregation (sticking) of platelets thus preventing clots from forming. The mechanism of action is NOT dependent on Vitamin K.
Mechanisms of aspirin-induced GI injury are due to the local effects within the GI mucosa and through systemic inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase (COX) resulting in depletion of mucosal protective prostaglandins.
Coumadin (warfarin) however, an anticoagulant owes its anticoagulant benefits to disrupting the liver synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors.... NOT ASPIRIN... taking Vitamin K is NOT going to decrease the risk of Aspirin related GI bleeds.
Best regards
Your BEST option as of right now is still the Proton Pump Inhibitor. Omeprazole is very effective in reducing both acute gastroduodenal mucosal damage and upper GI bleeding, and it's available without a prescription. The benefits outweigh the risks.
As I mentioned above, Aspirin contributes to GI bleeds by depleting prostaglandins. Thus, misoprostol (Cytotec), a synthetic prostaglandin, has also been tried to reduce this side effect..but it is rarely used because it can cause diarrhea and abdominal cramping.
However, I respectfully disagree with some of the things your doctor said, particularly about the Vitamin K... Aspirin is an antiplatelet drug i.e. it inhibits the aggregation (sticking) of platelets thus preventing clots from forming. The mechanism of action is NOT dependent on Vitamin K.
Mechanisms of aspirin-induced GI injury are due to the local effects within the GI mucosa and through systemic inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase (COX) resulting in depletion of mucosal protective prostaglandins.
Coumadin (warfarin) however, an anticoagulant owes its anticoagulant benefits to disrupting the liver synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors.... NOT ASPIRIN... taking Vitamin K is NOT going to decrease the risk of Aspirin related GI bleeds.
Best regards