Asthma is a reactive airway disease where there is inflammation of the bronchioles.

Patients usually have the characteristic symptoms of:

• Wheeze (high-pitched, usually upon exhalation)
• Cough (worse at night)
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

These symptoms usually have characteristic triggers and are episodic.

The triad of atopy, nasal polyps and ASA sensitivity (also known as Samter’s triad) is the hallmark for Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease, and affects around 5-20% of asthmatics. Patients with this condition experience a worsening of symptoms 30 min to 3h after ingestion of aspirin or other NSAIDs.