Asthma New Zealand –
The Lung
Association

Asthma A to Z

an asthma dictionary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Action Plan
See Self-management plan

Acute
An event that occurs suddenly and is short term in duration.

Adrenaline
A natural substance in the body that increases the heart rate, narrows blood vessels, reduces inflammation and swelling, and opens up air passages. It is used to treat anaphylaxis.

Adverse
Undesirable

Aerosol
A device that produces a fine mist of medicine, which is inhaled. This is the most common method for inhaling asthma medication.

Airways
The air tubes (passages, bronchioles) that are in the lungs.

Allergen
These are tiny particles or substances that your body perceives as dangerous and can cause an allergic reaction if your body is sensitive to them.

Allergic Reaction
The result of an allergic reaction can be an itchy rash, swollen eyes, lips, a stuffy nose or more seriously a life threatening reaction (anaphylaxis).

Alveoli/air sacs
The air sacs located at the end of the air passages in the lungs, where oxygen is passed to the bloodstream and carbon dioxide is removed.

Anaphylaxis
A very serious, life threatening allergic reaction requiring immediate medical attention.

Animal Dander
The flakes of skin, hair, feathers, of all warm-blooded animals, including birds, dogs, cats and rodents. Cat dander is known to be the most long lasting allergen, can remain in a home for months after the animal has left. The length of animal fur is of no consequence.

Antibiotic
A medicine used to treat infection.

Anticholinergic
A medicine that opens the airways by relaxing the muscle bands that tighten around the airways - They do not provide immediate relief, but can be used to help quick relief medicines during an asthma episode.

Antihistamines
Are useful in alleviating some of the symptoms of rhinitis. They are helpful in controlling sneezing, itching and runny noses, but are ineffective in relieving nasal blockage.

Anti inflammatory medication
Medicine that reduces inflammation and swelling. In asthma these drugs help to stop the person’s airways from becoming inflamed and swollen. They are also known as a preventer or controller.

Anti leukotriene medication
Also called "leukotriene-receptor antagonists". Asthma medications taken once daily in a tablet form, and designed to treat and prevent inflammation in the lungs.

Asthma Symptoms
Physical changes that let you know your lungs are not working at their best. Common asthma symptoms are coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and wheezing.

Atopic
A medical term indicating an inherited tendency to develop allergy and is due to an over sensitive immune system producing too many IgE antibodies.

Atopic Dermatitis
Eczema that is due to allergies. Eczema is a non-contagious skin condition where certain areas of the skin get inflamed and itchy. Some severe eczema may become infected.

B

Barrier bedding covers
These are covers made of precision microweave fabric, which completely encloses the mattress, pillow or duvet, providing immediate protection from allergens in the bed.
These covers are proven to block 99.9% of dust mite allergen.

Beta-agonist
A medicine used to provide temporary relief from asthma symptoms. A short or fast-acting beta-agonist works quickly and is commonly known as a "reliever or rescue remedy".
A long acting beta-agonist lasts for up to 12 hrs, and is not used when an asthma attack occurs. It generally does not treat the underlying inflammation or swelling in the airways.

Bronchi
These are the large air passages (airways) in the lungs.

Bronchioles
These are the small air passages in the lungs that branch off the bronchi. These are usually the ones affected when you have asthma.

Bronchitis
Inflammation of the bronchi usually from an infection but can also be due to an irritation.

Bronchodilator
An asthma medication (beta-agonists or relievers) that opens up the airways temporarily by relaxing the tiny bands of muscle that surround the airways of the lungs. They also help clear mucus from the lungs.

Bronchospasm or bronchoconstriction
The tightening of the muscle bands that surround the airways, causing the airways to narrow.

C

Candidiasis
This is also known as "thrush". It is a mild fungal infection that can occur when using inhaled corticosteroids. Rinsing and gargling the mouth after inhalation of your preventer, or using a spacer device can avoid this.

Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)
The propellant is used in MDI inhalers (metered dose inhalers). The propellant is a gas that helps medicine into your lungs. This type of propellant will eventually be banned due to its negative effect on the ozone layer. A currently available non CFC propellant is called "hydrofluoroalkane" or HFA.

Chronic
Long term. Refers to conditions that can be controlled but not cured.

Cilia
Hair like structures that line the airways in the lungs, helping to clean out the airways.

Colds
A viral infection of the upper respiratory tract (nose, throat, or sinuses). This is a common cause of acute asthma episodes in children.

Contraindication
A reason not to use a course of treatment or a medicine.

Controller (Preventer)
An asthma medication used twice daily to prevent and control asthma symptoms.

COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Corticosteroid
Corticosteroid, also called preventer or controller, is a type of asthma medication that reduces inflammation in the lungs to keep the airway open, thus controlling and preventing attacks.

Coughing
The body’s reaction to an irritant in the lung or the windpipe (trachea).

Chest Tightness
The chest feels tight and unable to expand when breathing.

Chronic bronchitis
In chronic bronchitis the breathing passages have been irritated for long periods causing them to produce more mucous. This leads to symptoms of coughing and phlegm production. Chronic bronchitis may be caused by smoking, but can also be aggravated by dust and fumes at work, or as a result of constant chest infections.

Cyanosis
This is the term used to describe the bluish or purplish skin colour that occurs when not enough oxygen is in the blood. It is often seen first in the lips and nail beds and is an emergency. An ambulance should be called and the condition of the patient described.

D

Decongestant
Medication that shrinks swollen nasal tissue to relieve symptoms of nasal swelling, congestion, and mucus secretions.

Desensitization
Medically known as Immunotherapy. Also called "allergy shots". Specific allergens are injected regularly over a period of time in order to reduce the person’s reaction to the allergen. The course runs for 3 yrs and requires total commitment from the patient.

Difficulty speaking
Lack of breath results in not being able to say more than a few words at a time and is an indication of a serious asthma attack.

Drug
Medication taken for an illness. A prescription will have the name of the drug, the strength, the dose to be taken and how often, and the route of administration.

Dust Mite
Tiny insects that are unable to be seen without a microscope that are present in stuffed toys, beds, bedding, soft furnishing and carpets. The house dust mite is about 0.3mm in length, and feeds on particles of dead skin that we continuously lose from our bodies and which are a major component of house dust. It is a common trigger of asthma and grows best in areas with high humidity.

Diaphragm
The major muscle of breathing, located at the base of the lungs.

Dry Powder Inhaler
A device for inhaling respiratory medicine that comes in powder form. Dry power devices are not suitable for children under 5.

Dysnoea
A very distressing sensation of difficulty in breathing.

E

Eczema
Also called dermatitis. It is a non contagious skin condition where certain areas of skin become inflamed and itchy. It may become infected and it can be allergic or non allergic.

Emphysema
A symptom of COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Emphysema is almost always caused by smoking. In emphysema the elasticity in the breathing passages is gone. The small breathing passages can’t stay open all the time making it hard for the air to move in and out.

Exercise Induced Asthma (EIA)
Asthma symptoms made worse with exercise or strenuous activities.

Exhale
To breathe out.

H

Histamine
A natural chemical in the body that is released by certain cells during an allergic reaction. It is the cause of the swelling and itching that occurs.

Home Oxygen
Oxygen is given to sufferers of COPD whose levels of oxygen are low and put a strain on the heart. To be effective oxygen must be used for at least 16 hours every day.

Hydrofluoroalkane (HFA)
A new propellant used in some asthma inhalers. A propellant is the gas that helps spray the medicine into your lungs. This type of propellant has no effect on the ozone layer.

Hyper responsiveness of Hypersensitivity
A reaction to certain stimulus that in unaffected airways doesn’t cause a reaction. In asthma it refers to the airways being overly reactive to certain triggers, causing them to close up or narrow (bronchoconstriction).

I

IgE Antibody
IgE antibodies initiate the release of substances from certain cells, causing the inflammation that leads to asthma and allergy symptoms. People with asthma and allergies often produce too many of these antibodies.

Immunotherapy
See Desensitization

Inflammation
A response in the body that produces swelling and redness.

Inhale
To breathe in.

Inhaled Medicines
Medicine a person breathes in. It goes directly to the airways where it is needed.

Irritants
Things that bother the nose, throat and airways when inhaled. Examples of irritants are tobacco smoke, perfumes, and air pollution, paint.

M

Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI)
A small device also called an inhaler or puffer, which releases medicine as a fine mist. It delivers one dose of medicine at a time. It must be shaken thoroughly before use to mix the propellant and medicine.

Mould
A fungus - moulds are plants that make spores instead of seeds which float in the air like pollen. They are a common trigger for allergies. Moulds can be found in damp areas, such as bathrooms, indoor plants and outdoor environment.

Mucus
Also called phlegm, is a clear sticky fluid material produced in the nose, sinuses and airways. When infected colour changes.

N

Nasal Sprays
Some decongestant sprays are used to relieve short duration nasal congestion lasting for less than one week. Prolonged use of these preparations may result in worsening of the nasal congestion.
Nasal Cortico-steroids work best when used in a preventative manner. They may be used for weeks or months at a time during an allergy season.

Nebulizer
A device used to deliver asthma medication. An electrically powered compressor forces air through a nebulizer, producing a fine medication mist that is inhaled through a mask or mouthpiece.

Non-steroidal
Anti-inflammatory medicine that is not a steroid.

O

Occupational Asthma
Asthma that develops as a result of exposure to substances in the workplace, such as paint fumes, wood dust.

Optimal Asthma Control
The best possible asthma control that can be achieved based on the following measures:

Use of blue reliever less than 3 times a week
Not having to limit daily activities because of asthma.
Not being woken at night with asthma symptoms.
Less use of preventer medication.
Less side effects from use of medication.
Best spirometry (FEV1) or peak expiratory flow (PEF)M result with least variability.

P

Peak Flow Meter
A portable, hand held device that measures how fast a person can exhale in litres per minute. Is used for monitoring a person’s asthma along with using their action plan. Also can show improvement when medication is used.

Pollen
A fine powdery substance released by plants and trees. In general tree pollens are at their worst starting in early spring through to late summer. One of the most common allergens.

Preventers
Asthma medications used daily to prevent and control asthma symptoms. They need to be taken daily to be effective and stopping medication should not occur when asthma improves.

Pre-treatment
Taking medication before being exposed to a trigger to lessen the effect of the trigger on the asthma. E.g. the use of Ventolin before exercise.

Puffer
A common term used for Metered Dose Inhalers (MDI) used to treat asthma.

Pulmonary function testing
Also called a breathing test. A test, or series of tests, used to diagnose and monitor asthma.

Pulse oximetry
A test in which a device that clips on the finger and measures the oxygen level in the blood.

R

Raised shoulders
As breathing becomes more difficult, the muscles in the neck tense, causing the shoulders to be raised, in an effort to draw more air into the lungs giving the person a hunched appearance.

Route
The path the medicine takes to get to the part of the body that needs it. Examples of different routes are oral (by mouth), inhaled (breathed in), IV (intravenous).

S

Self Management Plan
The doctor/asthma nurse will provide a personalized plan, which gives guidelines to follow when you are well and what to do if your symptoms worsen.

Shortness of breath
Breathing becomes fast and shallow, and the person feels as if he/she can’t get enough air into their lungs.

Side effects
Side effects may be unpleasant or intolerable. They are symptoms that occur from taking medication. In some cases after 7-10 days of taking the medication the side effects lessen or disappear. You should be informed of side effects that can occur for safety reasons. E.g. some drugs may cause drowsiness or confusion and recommend people do not drive a motor vehicle whilst taking that particular medication.

Skin prick test
An allergy test that involves pricking the outer surface of the skin on the forearms or back, applying a drop of an allergen solution, then watching for a timed reaction of swelling or redness. It is very useful for determining what a person is allergic too. If an allergen is identified then avoidance management to that allergen can be implemented.

Smokefree
Becoming smokefree is one of the most important treatments in the management of asthma. Ask your doctor if he has a plan to help you become smokefree. Some groups offer a free program which supplies patches and support free of charge. Second hand smoke is just as harmful as smoking.

Spacers
A spacer is a plastic chamber device used with a metered dose inhaler. Using a spacer allows more medicine to reach the small airways in the lungs where it is needed and can reduce certain side effects.

Spirometer
A basic lung function test that measures how fast and how much air can be breathed out of the lungs. It helps with the diagnosis and monitoring of asthma and COPD.

Sputum
Mucus or phlegm

Symptoms/clinical features
An abnormality that is experienced by an individual. In asthma they are cough, wheeze, experience chest tightness and breathlessness.

T

Theophylline
A long acting control medication that opens the airways to relieve and prevent bronchospasm/bronchoconstriction.

Thrush (Candida)
See Candidiasis

Trachea
The main airway (windpipe) supplying air to both lungs.

Triggers
These are factors that cause the symptoms of asthma. Some common triggers are cigarette smoke, animal dander, dust mites and viral infections such as a cold.

W

Wheezing
A high pitched whistling sound of air moving through narrowed airways.

This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic Health System and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition.