When you think of inflammatory respiratory diseases, asthma probably makes it to the top of the list. Per the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), asthma is defined as a long-term condition triggered by a specific substance or reaction that leads to an inflammatory response from your immune system. This causes the condition's characteristic swelling and narrowing of the airways, as well as increased mucus production, making it difficult for air to flow in and out of your lungs and creating other common symptoms (e.g., wheezing, coughing, chest tightness).
Given the inflammatory nature of the disease, there seems to be a strong link between asthma and nasal polyps. In fact, according to GoodRx, asthma is one of the leading causes of nasal polyps because the irritation present in the area, along with the accumulation of fluids, facilitates their growth. Nevertheless, this is not a one-way problem. On the contrary, asthma and nasal polyps are more of a two-way deal; once polyps have developed, they add to your body's inflammatory response and worsen asthma symptoms by blocking your airways, leading to more frequent and severe asthma attacks.
Treating asthma and nasal polyps simultaneously is crucial for effectively managing both conditions and stopping the snowball effect that happens between them. To get your asthma under control, the NHLBI suggests identifying and avoiding your triggers, following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking or avoiding secondhand smoke, practicing stress management techniques, and protecting yourself from the flu and COVID-19, which increase the risk of flare-ups.
