Asthma Glossary and Asthma Definitions
The asthma glossary will give short asthma definitions and descriptions for common asthma terms.
Airway Remodeling
When asthma is not treated or controlled well, a serious condition called airway remodeling can occur.
When asthma is not treated or controlled well, a serious condition called airway remodeling can occur.
Allergen
Allergen is something that triggers an allergic response that can affect the skin, nose, eyes, and airways.
Allergen is something that triggers an allergic response that can affect the skin, nose, eyes, and airways.
Alveoli
Alveoli are the tiny sacs at the farthest end of your smallest airways.
Alveoli are the tiny sacs at the farthest end of your smallest airways.
Asthma Attack
An asthma attack occurs when asthma symptoms spiral out of control.
An asthma attack occurs when asthma symptoms spiral out of control.
Bronchial Tubes
Bronchial tubes are the large airways that connect your pharynx (breathing tube) to your lungs.
Bronchial tubes are the large airways that connect your pharynx (breathing tube) to your lungs.
Bronchioles
Bronchioles are small branches of the airways in your lungs. They branch off from the bronchial tubes and then the bronchioles branch into smaller sacs called alveoli.
Bronchioles are small branches of the airways in your lungs. They branch off from the bronchial tubes and then the bronchioles branch into smaller sacs called alveoli.
Bronchodilator
A bronchodilator is a type of asthma medicine that relaxes the muscles inside the lungs' airways.
A bronchodilator is a type of asthma medicine that relaxes the muscles inside the lungs' airways.
Bronchospasm
A bronchospasm is when the bands of muscles around your airways tighten uncontrollably.
A bronchospasm is when the bands of muscles around your airways tighten uncontrollably.
Chronic Disease
A chronic disease is one that continues once you get it. It does not usually go away for a long time, if ever, and cannot be cured. Asthma is an example of a chronic disease.
A chronic disease is one that continues once you get it. It does not usually go away for a long time, if ever, and cannot be cured. Asthma is an example of a chronic disease.
Controller Medicines
Controller medicines are asthma medicines you take once or twice a day every day (as prescribed) to control and prevent asthma symptoms.
Controller medicines are asthma medicines you take once or twice a day every day (as prescribed) to control and prevent asthma symptoms.
Cyanosis
Cyanosis is a blue color in your lips and fingernails.
Cyanosis is a blue color in your lips and fingernails.
Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI)
A dry powder inhaler, or DPI for short, is a type of inhaler device for administering asthma medicine.
A dry powder inhaler, or DPI for short, is a type of inhaler device for administering asthma medicine.
Immune System
Your immune system is a set of cells and proteins that work together to protect your body from threats.
Your immune system is a set of cells and proteins that work together to protect your body from threats.
Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy, as it applies to asthma, is a series of shots given to gradually get your body used to an allergen or asthma trigger.
Immunotherapy, as it applies to asthma, is a series of shots given to gradually get your body used to an allergen or asthma trigger.
Inflammation
In the lungs, inflammation can swell the airways, tighten the airway muscles, and increase the amount of mucus that the airways produce. In other words: asthma.
In the lungs, inflammation can swell the airways, tighten the airway muscles, and increase the amount of mucus that the airways produce. In other words: asthma.
Inhaled Steroid
An inhaled steroid is a kind of asthma medicine that is taken by inhaling the vapor or powder through a plastic device called an inhaler.
An inhaled steroid is a kind of asthma medicine that is taken by inhaling the vapor or powder through a plastic device called an inhaler.
Intercostal Retractions
Intercostal retractions are what happens when the muscles between your ribs are pulled in sharply when you are having trouble breathing.
Intercostal retractions are what happens when the muscles between your ribs are pulled in sharply when you are having trouble breathing.
Irritants
Irritants are substances that trigger asthma symptoms in sensitive people.
Irritants are substances that trigger asthma symptoms in sensitive people.
Metered Dose Inhaler for Asthma
A metered dose inhaler is the most common medical device used for asthma. It is also referred to as an "inhaler" or "puffer."
A metered dose inhaler is the most common medical device used for asthma. It is also referred to as an "inhaler" or "puffer."
Nebulizer
A nebulizer is an electronic device that transforms asthma medicine into a very fine mist that will penetrate deeply into your lungs.
A nebulizer is an electronic device that transforms asthma medicine into a very fine mist that will penetrate deeply into your lungs.
Peak Flow Meter
A peak flow meter measures airflow when you breathe out. This is known as the peak flow. It tells you how well your lungs are working and how well your asthma is controlled.
A peak flow meter measures airflow when you breathe out. This is known as the peak flow. It tells you how well your lungs are working and how well your asthma is controlled.
Pet Dander
Pet dander is created from dead skin cells that are shed by animals. Proteins in the dander can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms.
Pet dander is created from dead skin cells that are shed by animals. Proteins in the dander can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms.
Quick Relief Medicine for Asthma
Quick relief medicine is asthma medicine that acts quickly, but only for a short-time, to relieve asthma symptoms that have already started.
Quick relief medicine is asthma medicine that acts quickly, but only for a short-time, to relieve asthma symptoms that have already started.
Sinusitis
Your sinuses are hollow, air-filled spaces in the bones around your forehead, cheeks and eyes. Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses. The risk of getting sinusitis increases when you also have allergies and asthma.
Your sinuses are hollow, air-filled spaces in the bones around your forehead, cheeks and eyes. Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses. The risk of getting sinusitis increases when you also have allergies and asthma.
Spirometry
A spirometer is device that measures the total amount of air you can exhale after taking a deep breath in.
A spirometer is device that measures the total amount of air you can exhale after taking a deep breath in.
Trigger
An asthma trigger is a substance or event that sets off asthma symptoms.
An asthma trigger is a substance or event that sets off asthma symptoms.
Wheezing
Wheezing is an asthma symptom that results from narrowing of the airways. A wheeze sounds like a whistle as you breathe in or out through your mouth or nose.
Wheezing is an asthma symptom that results from narrowing of the airways. A wheeze sounds like a whistle as you breathe in or out through your mouth or nose.