Severe Allergic Reaction (Anaphylactic Shock) Glossary of Terms

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Abdominal: Relating to the abdomen, the belly, that part of the body that contains all of ...

Airway: The path that air follows to get into and out of the lungs. The mouth and nose are...

Allergen: A substance that can cause an allergic reaction. Common allergens include ragwee...

Allergic reaction: The hypersensitive response of the immune system of an allergic indiv...

Allergy: A misguided reaction to foreign substances by the immune system, the body system ...

Anaphylactic shock: A widespread and very serious allergic reaction. Symptoms include di...

Anaphylaxis: Allergic reaction. In severe cases, this can include potentially deadly anap...

Antibody: An immunoglobulin, a specialized immune protein, produced because of the introdu...

Antigen: A substance that the immune system perceives as being foreign or dangerous. The b...

Anxiety: A feeling of apprehension and fear, characterized by physical symptoms such as pa...

Asthma: A common lung disorder in which inflammation causes the bronchi to swell and narro...

Bee sting: An area of skin affected by piercing from the stinger of a bee. A bee sting can...

Blood pressure: The blood pressure is the pressure of the blood within the arteries. It is...

Brain: The portion of the central nervous system that is located within the skull. It func...

Breathing: The process of respiration, during which air is inhaled into the lungs through ...

Bumps: The raised area of a bump or bruise results from blood leaking from these injured b...

Cardiac: Having to do with the heart.

Cardiovascular: Relating to the circulatory system, which comprises the heart and blood ve...

Catheter: A thin, flexible tube.

Chest: The area of the body located between the neck and the abdomen. The chest contains t...

Congestion: An abnormal or excessive accumulation of a body fluid. The term is used broadl...

Contrast: Short for "contrast media." Contrast media are X-ray dyes used to provide contra...

CPR: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Diarrhea: A common condition that involves unusually frequent and liquid bowel movements. ...

Dilate: To stretch or enlarge. Also known as dilatate.

Dizziness: Painless head discomfort with many possible causes including disturbances of ...

Dopamine: An important neurotransmitter (messenger) in the brain.

Eczema: A particular type of inflammatory reaction of the skin in which there are typicall...

Emergency department: The department of a hospital responsible for the provision of medica...

Epinephrine: A substance produced by the medulla (inside) of the adrenal gland. The name e...

Erythema: Redness of the skin that results from capillary congestion. Erythema can occur w...

Fever: Although a fever technically is any body temperature above the normal of 98.6 degr...

Fire ants: Originally from S. America. Among the worst insect pests ever to invade the US....

Hay fever: A seasonal allergy to airborne particles characterized by itchy eyes, runny nos...

Heart: The muscle that pumps blood received from veins into arteries throughout the body. ...

Histamine: A substance that plays a major role in many allergic reactions, dilating blood ...

Hives: A raised, itchy area of skin that may be a sign of an allergic reaction. It can be ...

Hoarseness: Hoarseness is a term referring to abnormal voice changes. Hoarseness may be ma...

Immune: Protected against infection, usually by the presence of antibodies.

Immune system: A complex system that is responsible for distinguishing a person from every...

Immunoglobulin: A protein produced by plasma cells and lymphocytes and characteristic of t...

Immunoglobulin E: A class of immunoglobulins that includes the antibodies that are importa...

Immunology: The study of all aspects of the immune system, including its structure and fun...

Itching: An uncomfortable sensation in the skin that feels as if something is crawling on ...

Lips: Aside from the lips of the mouth, there are two pairs of lips at the entrance to the...

Low blood pressure: Any blood pressure that is below the normal expected for an individua...

Mechanical ventilation: Use of a machine called a ventilator or respirator to improve the ...

Mouth: 1. The upper opening of the digestive tract, beginning with the lips and con...

Muscle: Muscle is the tissue of the body which primarily functions as a source of power. T...

Nasal: Having to do with the nose.

Nausea: Stomach queasiness, the urge to vomit. Nausea can be brought on by many causes, in...

Nose: The external midline projection from the face. The purpose of the nose is to warm, c...

Oxygen: The odorless gas that is present in the air and necessary to maintain life. Oxygen...

Pharmacy: A location where prescription medications are sold. A pharmacy is constantly sup...

Prescription: A physician's order for the preparation and administration of a drug or dev...

Prescription drug: A drug requiring a prescription, as opposed to an over-the-counter dr...

Pulse: The rhythmic dilation of an artery that results from beating of the heart. Pulse is...

Radiologic: Having to do with radiology.

Recur: To occur again; to return. For example, a symptom, sign, or disease can recur.

Recurrence: The return of a sign, symptom, or disease after a remission. The reappearance ...

Respiratory: Having to do with respiration.

Rule out: Term used in medicine, meaning to eliminate or exclude something from considera...

Saline: Relating to salt. As an adjective, "saline" means "salty, containing salt." As a n...

Sensation: In medicine and physiology, sensation refers to the registration of an incoming...

Sensitivity: 1. In psychology, the quality of being sensitive. As, for example, sen...

Shock: In medicine, a critical condition that is brought on by a sudden drop in blood flow...

Spasm: A brief, automatic jerking movement. A muscle spasm can be quite painful, with the ...

Substance: 1. Material with particular features.
2. The material that...

Surgery: The branch of medicine that employs operations in the treatment of disease or inj...

Symptom: Any subjective evidence of disease. In contrast, a sign is objective. Blood comin...

Syringe: A medical device that is used to inject fluid into, or withdraw fluid from, the b...

Thigh: The thick, muscular portion of the leg that extends from the hip to the knee. The t...

Throat: The throat is the anterior (front) portion of the neck beginning at the back of th...

Tongue: A strong muscle that is anchored to the floor of the mouth. The tongue is covered ...

Transfusion: The transfer of blood or blood products from one person (the donor) into the ...

Trigger: Something that either sets off a disease in people who are genetically predispose...

Tubes: The "tubes" are medically known as the Fallopian tubes. There are two Fallopian tub...

Unconscious: 1. Interruption of awareness of oneself and one's surroundings, lack ...

Venom: A poison, particularly one secreted by an animal. Examples are bee venom, snake ven...

Ventilation: The exchange of air between the lungs and the atmosphere so that oxygen can ...

Ventilator: A machine that mechanically assists a patient in the exchange of oxygen and ca...

Wheezing: A whistling noise in the chest during breathing. Wheezing occurs when the airway...