Asthma FAQ Glossary of TermsThe following are health and medical definitions of terms that appear in the Asthma FAQ article.
Acute: Of abrupt onset, in reference to a disease. Acute often also connotes an illness th... See the entire definition of AcuteAirway: The path that air follows to get into and out of the lungs. The mouth and nose are... See the entire definition of AirwayAirway obstruction: Partial or complete blockage of the breathing passages to the lungs. C... See the entire definition of Airway obstructionAllergen: A substance that can cause an allergic reaction. Common allergens include ragwee... See the entire definition of AllergenAllergic reaction: The hypersensitive response of the immune system of an allergic indiv... See the entire definition of Allergic reactionAllergic rhinitis: Medical term for hay fever, an allergic reaction that mimics a chronic ... See the entire definition of Allergic rhinitisAllergy: A misguided reaction to foreign substances by the immune system, the body system ... See the entire definition of AllergyAllergy shots: See Allergy desensitization. Aspirin: Once the Bayer trademark for acetylsalicylic acid, now the common name for this a... See the entire definition of AspirinAsthma: A common lung disorder in which inflammation causes the bronchi to swell and narro... See the entire definition of AsthmaAsthmatic: 1. Pertaining to asthma as, for example, asthmatic bronchitis. Atopy: The genetic tendency to develop the classic allergic diseases -- atopic dermatitis,... See the entire definition of AtopyBreathing: The process of respiration, during which air is inhaled into the lungs through ... See the entire definition of BreathingBronchi: The plural of bronchus. Bronchiolitis: Inflammation of the bronchioles, usually due to viral infections. 
Bronchitis: Inflammation and swelling of the bronchi. Bronchitis can be acute or chronic. Chest: The area of the body located between the neck and the abdomen. The chest contains t... See the entire definition of ChestChronic: In medicine, lasting a long time. A chronic condition is one that lasts 3 months ... See the entire definition of ChronicChronic illness: An illness that lasts 3 months or more. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: COPD. Any disorder that persistently obstructs bron... See the entire definition of Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseCircadian: Refers to events occurring within the span of a full 24-hour day, as in a circa... See the entire definition of CircadianContraction: The tightening and shortening of a muscle. COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Any disorder that persistently obstructs bron... See the entire definition of COPDCortisol: A metabolite of the primary stress hormone cortisone. Cortisol is an essential f... See the entire definition of CortisolCough: A rapid expulsion of air from the lungs, typically in order to clear the lung airwa... See the entire definition of CoughCritical care: The specialized care of patients whose conditions are life-threatening and ... See the entire definition of Critical careCurable: Amenable to a cure, capable of being cured, to being healed and made well. From ... See the entire definition of CurableDander: Tiny scales shed from human or animal skin or hair. Dander floats in the air, sett... See the entire definition of DanderDyspnea: Difficult or labored breathing; shortness of breath. Dyspnea is a sign of serious... See the entire definition of DyspneaEar: The hearing organ. There are three sections of the ear, according to the anatomy tex... See the entire definition of Ear
Eczema: A particular type of inflammatory reaction of the skin in which there are typicall... See the entire definition of EczemaEdema: The swelling of soft tissues as a result of excess fluid accumulation. Edema is oft... See the entire definition of EdemaEmergency department: The department of a hospital responsible for the provision of medica... See the entire definition of Emergency departmentEssential: In medicine, of unknown cause, as in essential hypertension (high blood pressur... See the entire definition of EssentialExacerbation: A worsening. In medicine, exacerbation may refer to an increase in the sever... See the entire definition of ExacerbationExercise-induced asthma: Asthma triggered by vigorous physical activity. It primarily affe... See the entire definition of Exercise-induced asthmaFamily history: The family structure and relationships within the family, including inform... See the entire definition of Family historyFatigue: A condition characterized by a lessened capacity for work and reduced efficiency ... See the entire definition of FatigueFever: Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 degr... See the entire definition of FeverFlu: Short for influenza. The flu is caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract w... See the entire definition of FluGenetics: The scientific study of heredity. Genetics pertains to humans and all other orga... See the entire definition of GeneticsHay fever: A seasonal allergy to airborne particles characterized by itchy eyes, runny nos... See the entire definition of Hay feverHeart: The muscle that pumps blood received from veins into arteries throughout the body. ... See the entire definition of HeartIbuprofen: A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is commonly used to treat pa... See the entire definition of IbuprofenImmune: Protected against infection, usually by the presence of antibodies.
Immunology: The study of all aspects of the immune system, including its structure and fun... See the entire definition of ImmunologyInfection: The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, an... See the entire definition of InfectionInflammation: A localized reaction that produces redness, warmth, swelling, and pain as a ... See the entire definition of InflammationInternal medicine: The medical specialty dedicated to the diagnosis and medical treatment ... See the entire definition of Internal medicineLeukotriene: One of a group of chemicals produced by the body that accompanies inflammatio... See the entire definition of LeukotrieneLungs: The lungs are a pair of breathing organs located with the chest which remove carbon... See the entire definition of LungsMedical history: 1. In clinical medicine, the patient's past and present which may ... See the entire definition of Medical historyMeditation: A typically self-directed practice for relaxing the body and calming the mind.... See the entire definition of MeditationMold: One of a large group of fungi that can proliferate on food or in moist areas. Househ... See the entire definition of MoldMouth: 1. The upper opening of the digestive tract, beginning with the lips and con... See the entire definition of MouthMucous: Pertaining to mucus, a thick fluid produced by the lining of some tissues of the b... See the entire definition of MucousMucus: A thick fluid that is produced by the lining of some organs of the body. Muscle: Muscle is the tissue of the body which primarily functions as a source of power. T... See the entire definition of MuscleNasal: Having to do with the nose. Nose: The external midline projection from the face. The purpose of the nose is to warm, c... See the entire definition of Nose
Obstruction: Blockage of a passageway. See, for example: Airway obstruction; Intestinal o... See the entire definition of ObstructionPain: An unpleasant sensation that can range from mild, localized discomfort to agony. Pa... See the entire definition of PainPharmacy: A location where prescription medications are sold. A pharmacy is constantly sup... See the entire definition of PharmacyPollen: Small, light, dry protein particles from trees, grasses, flowers, and weeds that m... See the entire definition of PollenPollen count: The number of pollen grains landing on a given area during a specified time.... See the entire definition of Pollen countPregnancy: The state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus within the female body. Thi... See the entire definition of PregnancyPulmonary: Having to do with the lungs. Pulmonary medicine: The branch of medicine that deals with the causes, diagnosis, preventi... See the entire definition of Pulmonary medicineRad: Radiation absorbed dose, a measurement for a dose of ionizing radiation. Respiratory: Having to do with respiration. Respiratory therapy: Exercises and treatments that help patients recover lung function, su... See the entire definition of Respiratory therapyRhinitis: Irritation of the nose. Risk factor: Something that increases a person's chances of developing a disease. For exam... See the entire definition of Risk factorRule out: Term used in medicine, meaning to eliminate or exclude something from considera... See the entire definition of Rule outSensation: In medicine and physiology, sensation refers to the registration of an incoming... See the entire definition of Sensation
Shortness of breath: Difficulty in breathing. Medically referred to as dyspnea. Shortness ... See the entire definition of Shortness of breathSinus: 1. An air-filled cavity in a dense portion of a skull bone. The sinuses decr... See the entire definition of SinusSinusitis: Inflammation of the lining membrane in any of the hollow areas (sinuses) of the... See the entire definition of SinusitisSodium: The major positive ion (cation) in the fluid surrounding cells in the body. The ch... See the entire definition of SodiumSteroid: One of a large group of chemical substances classified by a specific carbon struc... See the entire definition of SteroidStress: In a medical or biological context stress is a physical, mental, or emotional fact... See the entire definition of StressSubstance: 1. Material with particular features. Symptom: Any subjective evidence of disease. In contrast, a sign is objective. Blood comin... See the entire definition of SymptomSystemic: Affecting the entire body. A systemic disease such as diabetes can affect the wh... See the entire definition of SystemicTherapy: The treatment of disease. Therapy is synonymous with treatment. Tobacco: A South American herb (Nicotiana tabacum) whose leaves contain 2 to 8 percent nic... See the entire definition of TobaccoTongue: A strong muscle that is anchored to the floor of the mouth. The tongue is covered ... See the entire definition of TongueTrigger: Something that either sets off a disease in people who are genetically predispose... See the entire definition of TriggerTubes: The "tubes" are medically known as the Fallopian tubes. There are two Fallopian tub... See the entire definition of TubesUpper respiratory infection: An infection of the upper part of the respiratory system whic... See the entire definition of Upper respiratory infection
Viral: Of or pertaining to a virus. For example, if a person has a viral rash, the rash wa... See the entire definition of ViralViruses: Small living particles that can infect cells and change how the cells function. I... See the entire definition of VirusesWheezing: A whistling noise in the chest during breathing. Wheezing occurs when the airway... See the entire definition of WheezingX-ray: High-energy radiation with waves shorter than those of visible light. X-ray is used... See the entire definition of X-ray
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