| Allergen |
Substance that induces an allergic reaction in an individual who is sensitive to the substance. |
| Allergy |
When the body reacts to compounds that people -normally tolerate, this may be due to some form of oversensitivity. Oversensitivity problems usually affect the eyes, nose, -airways, stomach and skin. |
| Allergic reaction |
An allergic reaction is started by an allergen, which might be pollen, mites or cat hair. The most common allergies affect the airways. Breathing in pollen, for example, triggers a reaction. |
| Beta 2 agonist |
Airway dilating compounds that have a relaxant effect on airway musculature, resulting in dilation, for example Terbutaline and Ventolin. |
| Bronchitis |
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the large bronchi (medium-size airways) in the lungs . |
| Bronchodilator |
A drug that dilates, or expands, the size of the lumina of the air passages of the lungs by relaxing the muscular walls.
|
| Bronchus |
A bronchus (plural bronchi , adjective bronchial ) is a caliber of airway in the respiratory tract that conducts air into the lungs . |
| COPD |
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Long-term lung disease that gradually causes deteriorated lung function, increased formation of phlegm and/or swelling of the mucus membranes. COPD includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. |
| Corticosteroids |
Corticosteroids are a class of steroid hormones that are used for anti-inflammatory treatment. Sometimes only called cortisones or steroids. |
| Cortisone |
See corticosteroids |
| Emphysema |
A long-term, progressive disease of the lung that primarily causes shortness of breath. |
| Eczema |
A form of inflammation of the upper layers of the skin . |
| Hay fever |
Hay fever is an allergic reaction to airborne substances such as pollen that get into the upper respiratory passages - the nose, sinus, throat - and also the eyes. |
| Monitoring |
Ongoing checks of a course of events. |
| Mucus |
Mucus is a "slimy" material that coats many tissue surfaces in the body. |
| NO |
(nitric oxide), a gas |
| Paediatricians |
Doctors specializing in child medicine |
| Phlegm |
A sticky fluid secreted by the respiratory system, excluding that from the nasal passages, and particularly that which is expelled by coughing (sputum). |
| Spirometry |
Measuring breathing function by measuring -exhaled air volumes and exhaled airflow speeds. Conducted with special gas volume instruments called spirometers. |
| Steroids |
Cortisone drugs often administered by spray -inhalation. Cortisones are anti-inflammatory. See corticosteroids. |
| Trigger |
A substance (allergen) or other factor (like cold air, infection) that irritates the airways and eventually could result in an asthma attack. |