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September 16, 2024
Are you diagnosed with asthma? Do you have a constant stuffy nose? And do these conditions suddenly get worse whenever you take an aspirin? This is a sign that you may have a rare condition called Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD).
AERD is becoming more recognized in the medical community as a chronic medical condition. AERD Awareness Day is on Sept. 26 every year. The goal is to encourage patients and healthcare professionals to be vigilant with:
- getting an accurate diagnosis;
- understanding AERD symptoms;
- treating and managing the condition;
- encouraging more AERD research
It is often difficult for AERD patients to find doctors who are knowledgeable about the condition. Many times they go through multiple doctors before finding one who can treat it successfully.
The good news is, this is changing. Allergy & Asthma Network and other patient advocacy organizations continue to lead efforts to raise awareness of the disease.
What is AERD?
Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease involves three conditions:
- asthma (often severe asthma)
- recurrent nasal polyps
- sensitivity to aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
AERD treatment typically involves using inhaled medications to prevent and control asthma symptoms, removing or controlling recurrent nasal polyps, and aspirin desensitization.
AERD affects approximately 1.2 million to 1.6 million people in the United States. It is also known as Samter’s Triad. AERD often develops in adulthood, usually between the ages of 20 and 50. Symptoms sometimes do not respond to conventional treatments.
Every AERD Awareness Day, Allergy & Asthma Network shares its AERD resources, including its publication “Your AERD Medical Management Appointment Guide.” The guide helps people with AERD prepare for doctor appointments, and more.
Learn more about AERD
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