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Asthma Terms |
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The following is taken from the booklet Asthma: Key Words in Plain Language, developed by the Community Asthma Program. It can be downloaded in its entirety here. Alveoli: Millions of tiny air bags in the lungs. These bags fill up with air to move oxygen into the blood. Bronchial Tubes: The tubes letting air in and out of the lungs. Bronchodilator: Medicine that opens up the bronchial tubes. The medicine lets more air through by relaxing the muscle around the tubes. Chronic: Lasting a long time. COPD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Asthma, Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are all COPD. Corticosteroids: Medicine used to treat asthma, to reduce swelling of the airways (inflammation), and to prevent asthma attacks. Dander: Flakes of skin shed by all animals. Many people are allergic to dander. Dilate: To become larger or wider. Emphysema: A lung disease. Air gets into the lung tissues and causes it to expand. There is not enough room to breathe properly. Episode: A brief time in whihc symptoms are worse. People who are allergic to ragweed sometimes have more asthma episodes in the fall. Exertion: Effort, work. Some people have asthma symptoms after a time of strong exertion such as running very fast. Inflame: Make hot, red or swollen. Lung Function: A measure of how strong the lungs are. Mildew: Tiny plants (fungus) that grow in damp warm areas. It looks like fuzz. Mites: Tiny animals that look like spiders. Mites cannot be seen by the eye. They often live in clothing and in bed sheets. Nebulizer: A machine that turns asthma medicine into mist. This mist is easy to breathe in. Peak Flow: A measure of the fastest speed with which you can blow air out from your lungs. A high peak flow value means you are breathing well. Pulmonary Care Unit: A section of the hospital where people with lung problems get care. Pulmonologist: A doctor who takes care of people with lung disease. Spasm: Sudden, strong muscle tightening. Spirometer: A machine used to measure the air that moves in and out of the lungs. Nurses in asthma clinics use the spirometer to measure lung function in asthma patients. Steroids: Powerful drugs that reduce inflammation. Steroids are a group of chemicals called hormones normally made by the body. Steroids used in asthma are different than muscle-building steroids.
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