Final answer:
Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease, or AERD, presents with a physiological combination of asthma, nasal polyps, and sensitivity to aspirin and NSAIDs, leading to asthma-like attacks. The disease involves an inflammatory response exacerbated by aspirin consumption, requiring careful management. Treatment includes avoiding NSAIDs, using asthma medications, and potentially aspirin desensitization.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD)
Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD), also known as aspirin-induced asthma, typically presents with a combination of asthma, nasal polyps, and sensitivity to aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Patients with AERD experience asthma attacks following the ingestion of aspirin or NSAIDs. These episodes can be severe, involving acute respiratory difficulties similar to asthma, but they are specifically induced by these medications.
AERD is a chronic condition that not only affects the lungs but also the sinuses, often resulting in recurrent nasal polyps. These growths in the nasal passages can cause obstructed airflow, runny nose, and a reduced sense of smell. The underlying pathophysiology involves an overproduction of certain inflammatory substances (e.g., leukotrienes) that lead to more severe inflammation of the airways when aspirin or related drugs are consumed, thus worsening existing asthma and nasal symptoms.
Management of AERD typically involves avoiding NSAIDs, the use of asthma medications, and sometimes surgery for nasal polyps. Additionally, desensitization to aspirin might be recommended for some patients, helping to diminish the severity of reactions to NSAIDs while also potentially reducing nasal polyp growth and asthma symptoms.