Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD) – What You Need to Know

When working with Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease, a chronic condition where aspirin and other NSAIDs trigger breathing problems, sinus inflammation, and asthma attacks. Also known as Samter’s Triad, it combines three key features you’ll see repeated across medical resources.

Key Facts About AERD

If you’re dealing with Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease, understanding the three pillars helps you spot the pattern. The first pillar is aspirin sensitivity, a heightened reaction to COX‑1 inhibition that can cause bronchospasm and nasal congestion. The second pillar is chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, persistent sinus inflammation that often leads to growths in the nasal passages. The third pillar is asthma, a reversible airway obstruction that worsens after aspirin exposure. Together they illustrate the semantic triple: AERD encompasses aspirin sensitivity, chronic rhinosinusitis, and asthma.

Diagnosing AERD usually starts with a detailed history of reactions to aspirin or ibuprofen and a physical exam focused on the sinuses and lungs. Physicians may order a nasal endoscopy to confirm polyps and a spirometry test to gauge asthma severity. A provocation test, where a small dose of aspirin is given under medical supervision, confirms the COX‑1 trigger. This process shows the relationship: AERD requires careful medication management to avoid COX‑1 inhibitors.

Treatment follows three lines of attack. First, strict avoidance of aspirin, NSAIDs, and other COX‑1 inhibitors removes the primary trigger. Second, pharmacologic options target the inflammatory pathways. Leukotriene-modifying agents, drugs like montelukast that block leukotriene receptors, reduce airway inflammation and nasal polyp growth are often prescribed. Third, aspirin desensitization therapy—administering gradually increasing doses of aspirin in a controlled setting—can retrain the body’s response and improve asthma control, illustrating the triple: desensitization therapy can reduce aspirin reactions in AERD patients.

Biologic therapies have entered the AERD toolkit as well. Monoclonal antibodies that target IgE (omalizumab) or interleukin‑5 (mepolizumab) can shrink polyps and calm asthma symptoms, especially when standard meds fall short. Meanwhile, lifestyle tweaks—like using saline rinses, avoiding smoke, and monitoring air quality—support the medical plan. Knowing that AERD influences quality of life, many patients keep symptom diaries to track triggers and medication effects.

The articles below dive deeper into the drugs and strategies that matter for AERD management. You’ll find unbiased comparisons of NSAIDs, corticosteroids, leukotriene inhibitors, and newer biologics, plus practical tips on safe aspirin desensitization and everyday coping. Explore the list to arm yourself with the knowledge you need to keep breathing easy and stay ahead of flare‑ups.