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May 19, 2013


Severe Allergic Reaction (Anaphylactic Shock) Glossary of Terms

The following are health and medical definitions of terms that appear in the Severe Allergic Reaction (Anaphylactic Shock) article.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Cardiac: Having to do with the heart.

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

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Catheter: A thin, flexible tube.

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

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

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

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CPR: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Nasal: Having to do with the nose.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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 ...

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Respiratory: Having to do with respiration.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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