When you have AERD, a chronic condition where asthma, nasal polyps, and sensitivity to aspirin and other NSAIDs occur together. Also known as Samter's Triad, it’s not just allergies—it’s a full-body reaction that can turn everyday pain relief into a medical emergency. People with AERD don’t just get stuffy noses or wheezing—they often lose their sense of smell, need repeated sinus surgeries, and can’t take ibuprofen or even aspirin for a headache without risking a severe asthma attack or nasal congestion that lasts days.
AERD doesn’t happen overnight. It usually starts in adulthood, often after a person develops chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps. Over time, their body starts reacting badly to drugs that block COX-1 enzymes—common painkillers like aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. This triggers a flood of inflammatory chemicals that slam the lungs and sinuses. It’s not rare: about 1 in 10 adults with asthma and nasal polyps have AERD. And it’s not just about avoiding pills. Many people with AERD also struggle with ongoing inflammation, even when they’re not taking any meds. That’s why treatments focus on controlling the inflammation long-term, not just reacting to flare-ups.
Managing AERD means dealing with three big problems at once: nasal polyps, noncancerous growths in the sinuses that block airflow and reduce smell, asthma, a condition where airways swell and tighten, making breathing hard, and drug sensitivity, a dangerous reaction to common painkillers. Some people find relief with steroid sprays or biologic injections that target specific inflammation pathways. Others go through aspirin desensitization—a slow, supervised process where they’re given tiny doses of aspirin to retrain their immune system. It’s not for everyone, but for those who can do it, it can cut down on polyp growth and reduce the need for surgery.
What you’ll find below are real, practical guides from people who’ve lived with this. You’ll see how AERD connects to other conditions like chronic sinusitis, what treatments actually work in daily life, and how some of the same drugs used for asthma or arthritis can make things worse—or sometimes, better. No fluff. Just clear info on what helps, what doesn’t, and what you need to talk to your doctor about.
A practical guide to Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD), covering its triad of asthma, nasal polyps, NSAID sensitivity, diagnosis, treatment options, lifestyle tips, and emerging research.
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