Allergen - A substance that when it enters the body (by breathing, eating, or touching) causes a reaction which can be bad-like sneezing, wheezing, a rash, or other symptoms. Some common allergens are pollen, mold, pet dander, medications and some foods.
Allergist - A medical doctor that specializes in diagnosing and treating people who are affected by allergies.
Allergy - A reaction such as sneezing, itching, or rashes to a substance. Common things that cause allergies are pollen, mold, and furry pets.
Antibodies - Specialized molecules produced by the body as part of an immune response-such as in fighting an infection, virus, or allergen.
Asthma Awareness Month - Since 1984, the month of May has been officially recognized as National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. During this month, organizations across the U.S. help promote asthma education, screening and other awareness issues.
Aware - Having or showing understanding or knowledge. Awareness of your asthma warning signs, triggers, and treatment options can give you the power to take charge of your health.
Bronchial Tubes - (Bronchus, plural Bronchi) the main tubes that carry air into the lungs. There are two bronchial tubes that branch off from the trachea-one bronchus goes to each lung. Asthma causes the inside of the bronchial tubes to become swollen and irritated.
Cold ("Common Cold") - An infectious illness caused by several types of virus that can attack the breathing tubes, that can cause sneezing, fever, running nose, and difficulty breathing. Colds are spread by coming into contact with an infected person.
Connect - To join or link together things, by something coming between--like a bridge connects two sides of a river.
Control - Type of asthma medication used to prevent symptoms. Usually taken daily, even when you feel good.
Dander - The name for the tiny airborne particles of dead skin sells and the dried saliva of furry animals that can cause allergic reactions like sneezing, itching, swollen eyes or wheezing.
Declaration - An announcement, or a public document that announces something.
Defense - The act of resisting against an attack.
Dust - Any fine, dry powder can be called "dust." Dust can be made up of things like soil, mineral particles (chalk, plaster, etc.) or even tiny particles of dead skin cells or clothing fibers. Dust mites are tiny animals related to ticks and spiders that live on dust! Most people who are bothered by dust are actually allergic to these tiny dust mites.
Exercise - Any physical activity that requires some effort. Exercise usually means activity that you do for the sake of physical fitness. You can get exercise from participating in sports, playing with friends, walking, dancing, climbing stairs, or even from work like raking leaves.
Exercise Induced Asthma - A kind of asthma that is triggered by prolonged or exceptionally heavy rapid physical activity, usually after about 6-8 minutes into the strenuous exercise. Symptoms include coughing, wheezing, tight chest and shortness of breath. The symptoms can be worse in cold, dry air.
Food Allergy - Food allergies happen when your body thinks a food is harmful, and tries to fight it off by releasing chemicals that can cause wheezing, a rash, or worse! Over six million Americans have food allergies; many of them are kids. The most common allergy-causing foods are peanuts, tree nuts (walnuts, pecans), milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, wheat, and soy.
Hay Fever - Common term for seasonal allergic rhinitis. Usually caused by pollen or other seasonal airborne allergens, the symptoms of hay fever are itchy, runny nose, stuffy nose, watery itchy red eyes, and sneezing.
Histamine - A chemical released by cells of the body's immune system in an allergic reaction. Histamine causes irritation that can produce symptoms like watering eyes or nose, sneezing, itching or swelling.
Immunity - the power to resist an infection or allergic reaction. Immunity is usually a result of a vaccine, a previous attack of the disease, or natural resistance.
Immunization - Treatment (such as with an injected or inhaled vaccine) to produce an increased ability to resist a particular disease.
Immunotherapy - an allergy treatment regimen that includes gradually increasing exposure to the allergen, and therefore decreased sensitivity to the substance, by means of allergy shots.
Independence - A state of not being controlled or ruled by something. To be free from influence.
Influenza - Any of various types of very contagious viral diseases that cause fever, inflammation of the respiratory tract, severe aches and pains, and other symptoms. Often called "The Flu," as shortened form of "influenza.".
Inhaler - A device used to deliver medicine by breathing it into the lungs. The medicines delivered by an inhaler can be for asthma control (used every day), or for symptom relief (used when needed.)
Injection - commonly called a "shot," an injection is the delivery of medicine, vaccine, or other treatment by a hypodermic syringe.
Mast Cell and Basophils - A Specialized cells containing granules that release histamine during allergic reactions.
Medication - Something that treats or prevents illness, or helps improve symptoms.
Mold - Molds are a kind of living thing that make tiny spores that float in the air indoors and outdoors. Breathing the mold spores can cause serious problems for many people. When the spores land on a damp spot they can start to grow more mold. There are molds that can grow on damp wood, carpet, and walls.
Mucus - a clear, slippery sticky substance produced in the nose and throat to keep breathing tubes clean and moist .
Plan - An organized method for doing something to reach a goal. Just like a map can help you plan a trip, an asthma plan can help you be healthy and active.
Pollen - Pollen is a fine powder from trees, grass and weeds. It blows in the air and can be an asthma trigger.
Prepare - To get ready for something. Taking charge of your asthma means always being ready with your action plan, medications, and watching for warning signs.
Prepared - To be ready for something. If you are prepared, you will have the confidence and information to live safely with asthma and still have fun!
Protection - Something that guards or shields you from possible injury or harm.
Ragweed - A weedy plant whose pollen is irritating to the eyes and noses of many people. Ragweed season is from August until frost in most of the U.S.
Rescue - Type of asthma medication used to relieve sudden asthma symptoms. Used only when needed.
Resolution - a decision, or the formal announcement of a decision or desire. A New Year's Resolution is a personal decision made at the start of the new year to improve a negative habit or make some other health improvement.
Rhinitis - A medical term meaning inflammation of the nasal passages. Usually used in the phrase "allergic rhinitis" meaning nasal inflammation due to an inhaled allergen.
Safe - Free or secure from danger. Not threatened. Not likely to come to harm.
Scared - To become frightened. To have feelings of danger or concern about what may happen. Often if we understand more about something scary or tell someone, we can feel more in control, and not be as scared.
Scent - Scent is another word for "smell" or "odor." Many products like cosmetics, candles, soaps, and cleaners have a strong scent that can be an asthma trigger.
Seasonal Allergy - A reaction to naturally-occurring substances (like pollen or mold) that are only present at certain times of year. Some people have Spring allergies to tree pollen, others might have Fall allergies to leaf mold. and ragweed.
Short-acting beta2 agonist - A bronchodilator spray used before exercise to help prevent the symptoms of exercise-induced asthma. They are usually used 15 minutes before exercise, and can last for 4-6 hours. Albuterol, pirbuterol, and terbutaline and all types of this medication. Formoterol, a bronchodilator with both rapid and prolonged effect can also be used as well as the oral tablet montelukast (usually dosed at bedtime).
Sinus - Any of the hollow spaces in the front part of the skull that connect with the nostrils.
Smog - Smog is air pollution that can be an asthma trigger. Smog is worst in the middle of the day.
Smoke - A cloud of fine particles and gasses created when something burns. People smoking cigarettes, fireplaces, burning incense, and candles are all sources of indoor smoke that can aggravate asthma symptoms.
Trigger - A trigger is something that can make asthma worse. Avoiding tirggers is important to control asthma.
Virus - 1. A large group of very tiny infections agents that can grow and multiply only in living cells, and that cause disease in the people, animals, or plants they infect. Too small to be seen with an ordinary microscope, viruses can often be seen with an electron microscope. They are considered either very simple microorganisms or very complicated molecules. 2. A very tiny simple microorganism that can produce a wide range of diseases in people. When a virus enters the body, it grows and multiplies on living cells and can cause sickness. Colds and flu are some of the most common types of viruses.
Warning - Something that gives early notice, especially of danger. A warning sign on the highway might say "Watch for Curve Ahead." An asthma warning sign might signal the beginning of an asthma episode. Listen to your body's warning signs and learn how to respond.
