This glossary is intended for informational purposes only.Please see your health care provider with any questions about your health or your treatment.

A

Acute -can refer to sudden or relatively quick onset ofcondition; short-term or brief condition in contrast to chronic; intense as sometimes refers to severity 

Albumin - name of a protein inegg whites that can be responsible for an allergic reaction and a term that egg allergicindividuals should be able to recognize on a food label

Allergic conjunctivitis - allergic inflammation of themembrane lining the eye

Allergicrhinoconjunctivitis - allergic inflammation of thenose and eyes

Allergic salute -rubbing the nose, in a upward motion, to relieve nasal itching;chronically rubbing the nose in this manner can leave a crease on the bridge of the nose.

Allergic shiner - "darken circle" under the eye from the swelling of blood vesselsdue to allergy

Allergist -a physician who is a specialist in diagnosing and treating allergy andasthma

Allergy -an inappropriate immune response or hypersensitivity to anormally harmless substance (allergen)

AllergyImmunotherapy - allergyshots; allergen desensitization; giving by injection small increasing amounts of theallergen to which one is allergic

Note: Conventional immunotherapy builds up over a period of months. With rapid  desensitization or RUSH immunotherapy, several months of build-up are accomplished in less  than a day  -- after the patient has taken several medications for a  few days prior to the procedure.

Anaphylaxis - a severe and life-threatening systemic(whole body) allergic reaction

Antibody -immunoglobulin; a protein made by white blood cells that works to protectagainst something the immune system perceives as harmful

Note:  While antibodies can be protective, an antibody produced against a harmless substance or  excessive formation of antibodies can make one sick. The antibody associated with allergic  reactions is called IgE.  Asthma, allergic  rhinitis or eczema can result when an allergen causes an antibody (IgE) response.

Antigen -  a substance than can trigger the immune system to respond with theproduction of an antibody; an allergen is a type of antigen.

Antihistamine -medication that reduces or blocksthe effects of histamine, a chemical involved in an allergic reaction

Anti-inflammatorymedicines - a group of medicines that reduceinflammation and treat asthma/allergy in which inflammation is an underlying cause

Asthma -chronic inflammatory condition of the lungs involving anoverreaction to a variety of triggers (stimuli) resulting in narrowed and swollen airwaysalong with excessive mucus production

• Asthma involves airway. . . 
• chronic inflammation       
• hyperresponsiveness       
• variable obstruction     

Atopicdermatitis  - eczema

Board certified  - certification of a physician in a specialty; particularlywell-qualified in a specific medical specialty

Bronchi - large airways that carry air from the trachea to the smaller airwaysof the lungs  

Bronchial Tubes - breathing tubes or air passagesused to carry air in and out of the lungs

Bronchioles - small airways in the lungs that branch off the bronchi

Bronchoconstriction -narrowing of the breathing tubes

Bronchodilators - medication (usually inhaled but can be taken orally) that relaxes themuscles around the bronchial tubes so that air can more easily pass through

Bronchospasm - tightening of the muscles around the bronchialtubes

Chronic - long-term condition; ongoing;continual

Cold urticaria - hives caused byexposure to cold

Corticosteroid medications - anti-inflammatory drugs (like the natural hormone of the same name that isproduced by the body)

Cough suppressant - medication to keep one from coughing by suppressing the cough 

Note:  Coughing due to asthma is treated with other types of medicines; one type relaxes the  muscles around narrowed airways and another type of medicine decreases inflammation.

Decongestant - medication to reduce nasal congestion or stuffiness which is available asan oral drug or as an over-the-counter nasal spray

Note:    An OTC topical decongestant should NEVER be used more than a few days in a row;  consult a physician before using in children.

Early Warning Signs -  symptoms or less obvious signs that you can learn to recognize in YOU of YOUR child before asthma symptoms start or get severe

Eczema - inflammatory condition of the skin which can cause intense itching, crusting, scaling, and/or blisters

Epinephrine - commonly referred to as adrenaline; a hormone released by theadrenal gland; it is produced synthetically as a drug and used in treating anaphylaxis

Exhale - breathe out

Food elimination and challenge - test which can help diagnose foodallergy; eliminating a food from the diet for a period of time and observing for symptomswhen reintroducing the food

Note: When  food allergy symptoms cause breathing problems, hives, or other severe symptoms, challenge  should never be done at home but upon advice and under the supervision of a physician.

GERD  - Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease; in some individuals, it may trigger asthma

HayFever - seasonal allergic rhinitis  (see Rhinitis)

HEPA -  air filter which can be found in room air cleaners, invacuums, or available for whole-house filtration; the letters stand for  High  Efficiency  Particulate  Air

Histamine - chemical present in the body and released during an allergic reaction;antihistamines work against this potent chemical

Hives - a common name for the medical term urticaria

ImmunoglobulinE (IgE)  - a class of antibody known as the allergicantibody; an antibody known to be responsible for classic allergicreactions

Inflammation - redness, swelling, pain produced by an immune response

Note: The  body responds to a substance that it perceives to be harmful.  If that response is to  an allergen, it is an inappropriate response on the part of the immune system.

Inhale - breathe in

Leukotriene - a chemical mediator of allergic inflammation; a chemical in the body thatcan lead to inflammatory reactions

Leukotriene modifier - a medicine that can interfere with the action of or block the  production of leukotrienes; an oral medicine used to treat allergic inflammation

Mucus - phlegm or sputum; fluid secreted by mucous membranes typically referringto those in nose or lungs

Nasal Irrigation - using saline (a solution of salt water) to wash inside the noseand paranasal sinuses

Nebulizer -machine which turns a liquid into a fine mist for breathing into thelungs; sometimes referred to as an aerosol machine or atomizer

Nocturnal Asthma - asthma occurring at night

Ocular -referring to the eye

Oralallergy syndrome - a form ofcontacturticaria (hives); itching of the lips, tongue, palate, and throat after eating certain(usually raw) fruits and vegetables. It is associated with pollen allergy.  This  syndrome resolves rapidly and is not to be confused with serious systemic food reactions  that include throat tightness and swelling of the lips and tongue requiring epinephrine  immediately and emergency medical care.

Ovalbumin -name of a protein in egg whites that can be responsible for an allergicreaction and a term that egg allergic individuals should be able to recognize on a foodlabel

Peak Flow Meter - A handheld device with a meter to measure how fast one can breathe air outof the large airways

Pollen -the male element in the fertilization of plants; allergen

Prick Test - skin test for allergen sensitivity; skin test in which allergen is placedon the skin prior to "pricking" with a needle

Pulmonary Function Test - breathing test to determine how well air is moving in and out ofthe lungs

Quick-reliefmedicine when referring to asthma care  -aninhaled short-acting bronchodilator in the beta2-agonist category which gives relief from bronchospasm withinminutes of inhalation; the effects typicallylast 4-6 hours

RAST - a blood test which detects antibodies to a specific allergen; anabbreviation for Radio Allergo Sorbent Test which is a trademark of the companyoriginating the test

Rhinitis inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the nose -- can also involve sinuses and ears. Allergic rhinitis is caused by airborne allergens such as pollen, dust mites,  animal dander, etc.

Rhinitismedicamentosa is the medical term for therebound effect that occurs with chronic use of an over-the-counter topical decongestantnasal spray. An OTC topical decongestant spray should not be used  more than a few days in a row since chronic use causes nasal stuffiness that the user is  trying to clear.

ScratchTest - skintest for allergen sensitivity; skin test in which the skin is lightly scratched prior toplacing an allergen on the scratched area

Side effects -an unintended or unwanted effect of a drug

Sinusitis - inflammation of the lining of the paranasal sinuseswhich are hollow spaces (air cavities) within the bones of the face and skull

Spores - reproductive cells of certain organisms, including  mold

Theophylline -a bronchodilator medicine (a numberof brands) which relaxes the muscles around the airways in the lungs making it easier forair to move in and out; theophylline may also have mild anti-inflammatory effects

Trachea -windpipe; refers to the tube thatconnects the throat to the bronchial tubes

Trigger - a substance, environmental condition, or circumstance that leads toasthma, an allergic reaction, or an irritation

Urticaria - a condition in which the skin developsitching with white raised places surrounded by a red inflamed area; also known as hives;can be an allergic reaction but there are other causes

Wheezing - a whistling sound, usually heard when breathing out, caused by air tryingto pass through narrowed airways; can be a sign of asthma

Note:  One can have asthma without wheezing and one can wheeze without having  asthma.

Xopenex -a quick-acting bronchocilator for relieving asthmasymptoms.

Xolair -sometimes referred to as anti-IgE; an injected potential treatment for diseases associated with the allergic process as it decreases the allergic antibody (IgE); currently used in the treatment of moderate or severe allergic asthma.

Xyzal -an antihistamine available by prescription (levocetirizine).

Zyrtec - an antihistamine(cetirizine) available over-the-counter.  Cetirizine used to be only available by prescription.

The glossary remains under construction.
Terms are updated and added periodically.

Contacting us

Please CALL our office (828-322-1275 or 1-800-432-5015) if you or your child is a patient at Hickory Allergy & Asthma Clinic, and 
1.  you have a question about your medical care.
2.  you are reporting or asking about symptoms. 
3.  you have a question about your medicines or need a refill. 
4.  you have a question about your account.
5.  you wish to schedule, reschedule or cancel an appointment.

For problems or questions regarding this web site contact [Email].

If you have a general allergy or asthma related question, address that to haac@wheezy.com.  We answer e-mailed questions periodically, but not necessarily daily.  

Date last updated: July 14, 2008
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