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Adenoids:
Glands or lymphoid tissue in the upper part of the throat
behind the nose.
Adenoidectomy:
The surgical removal of enlarged adenoids to help prevent
blockage of the eustachian tubes and ear infections.
This is usually done as an outpatient procedure under
general anesthesia.
Allergen:
A substance that your body perceives as dangerous and
causes an allergic reaction.
Allergic
rhinitis: See Hay fever
Allergy:
An exaggerated response to a substance or condition
produced by the release of histamine or histamine-like
substances in affected cells.
Allergy
index: Measure (from 1-10) of allergy sufferers who
are affected by pollen in your region. Since some types
of pollen may be more likely to cause allergies than
others, a high allergy index does not necessarily correspond
to a high pollen count.
Allergy
shots: See Immunotherapy
Anaphylaxis:
Severe, life-threatening allergic response characterized
by lowered blood pressure, swelling, and hives.
Angioedema:
Swelling similar to urticaria (hives), but the swelling
occurs beneath the skin instead of on the surface. Angioedema
is characterized by deep swelling around the eyes and
lips and sometimes of the hands and feet.
Antibodies:
Specialized proteins produced by white blood cells that
circulate in the blood. Antibodies seek and attach to
foreign proteins, microorganisms, or toxins in order
to neutralize them. They are part of the immune system.
Antigen:
A substance, usually a protein, in which the body perceives
as foreign.
Antihistamine:
Medication that prevents symptoms of congestion, sneezing,
and itchy, runny nose by blocking histamine receptors.
Anti-inflammatory:
Type of medication that reduces swelling and mucus production,
particularly for asthma.
Asthma:
A disease of the branches of the windpipe (bronchial
tubes) that carry air in and out of the lungs. Asthma
causes the airways to narrow, the lining of the airways
to swell, and the cells that line the airways to produce
more mucus. These changes make breathing difficult and
cause a feeling of not getting enough air into the lungs.
Bronchodilators:
Medications used to relax the muscle bands that tighten
around the airways during an asthma episode. Bronchodilators
also help clear mucus from the lungs.
Conjunctivitis:
Also called "pink eye." Conjunctivitis is
an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the tissue that
lines the inside of the eyelid.
Dander,
animal: Tiny scales shed from animal skin or hair. Dander
floats in the air, settles on surfaces, and makes up
much household dust. Cat dander is a classic cause of
allergic reactions.
Decongestant:
Medication that shrinks swollen nasal tissues to relieve
symptoms of nasal swelling, congestion, and mucus secretion.
Dermatitis:
Inflammation of the skin, either due to direct contact
with an irritating substance or to an allergic reaction.
Symptoms include redness, itching, and sometimes blistering.
Drug
allergy: Allergic reaction to a specific medication.
The most common cause of drug allergies is penicillin.
Dust
mites: Microscopic insects that live in household dust
and are common allergens. Dust mites live on dead skin
cells and can be found in large numbers in mattresses,
pillows, carpets, curtains, and furniture.
Elimination
diet: A diet in which certain foods are temporarily
discontinued from the diet to rule out the cause of
allergy symptoms.
ELISA
(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay): Blood test used
to identify the substances that are causing your allergy
symptoms and to estimate a relative sensitivity.
Epinephrine:
A form of adrenaline medication used to treat severe
allergic reactions, such as anaphylactic shock or insect
stings. It is available in a self-injectable form or
can be injected by a healthcare provider.
Food
allergy: Allergy that occurs when the immune system
responds defensively to a specific food protein that
is not harmful to the body.
Hay
fever: Allergic reaction caused by the pollens of ragweed,
grasses, and other plants whose pollen is spread by
the wind.
HEPA:
High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, which
removes particles in the air by forcing it through screens
containing microscopic pores.
Histamine:
A naturally occurring substance that is released by
the immune system after being exposed to an allergen.
When you inhale an allergen, mast cells located in the
nose and sinus membranes release histamine. Histamine
then attaches to receptors on nearby blood vessels,
causing them to enlarge (dilate). Histamine also binds
to other receptors located in nasal tissues, causing
redness, swelling, itching, and changes in the secretions.
Hives:
See Urticaria
Hypoallergenic:
Products formulated to contain the fewest possible allergens.
Immune
system: The body's defense system that protects us against
infections and foreign substances.
Immunotherapy:
Also called allergy desensitization or allergy shots;
immunotherapy is given to increase a person's tolerance
to the substances that provoke allergy symptoms (allergens).
Allergy shots reduce your sensitivity to certain substances
but do not cure allergies. They are usually recommended
for people who suffer from allergies more than three
months a year.
Latex:
Also known as rubber or natural latex. Latex is a milky
fluid derived from the rubber tree. It is used in a
wide variety of consumer products, including rubber
gloves, tubing, rubber bands, etc.
Latex
allergy: An allergy that develops after some sensitizing
contact with latex.
Mast
cell: A type of white cell that is involved in the allergic
reaction. These cells release chemicals such as histamine.
Metered
dose inhaler (MDI): Small aerosol canister in a plastic
container that releases a burst of medication when pressed
down from the top. Many asthma medications are taken
using a MDI.
Mold:
Parasitic, microscopic fungi that float in the air like
pollen. Mold is a common trigger for allergies and can
be found in damp areas, such as basements or bathrooms,
as well as in grass, leaf piles, hay, mulch, or under
mushrooms.
Mold
count: See Pollen and mold count
Myringotomy:
Outpatient procedure in which small metal or plastic
tubes are inserted through the eardrum to equalize pressure
between the middle and outer ear.
Nasal
endoscopy: A test that allows the doctor to view the
nasal cavity to detect polyps or other abnormalities.
Nasal
sprays: Medication used to prevent nasal allergy symptoms.
Available by prescription or over-the-counter in decongestant,
corticosteroid, or salt-water solution form.
Otitis
media: Bacterial or viral infection of the middle ear
(the space behind the eardrum).
Otolaryngologist:
A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating
a variety of disorders of the ear, nose, and throat.
Otoscope:
A lighted instrument that lets the doctor see far down
into the outer ear canal.
Pneumatic
otoscope: An instrument that blows a puff of air into
the ear canal to test eardrum movement.
Pollen:
A fine, powdery substance released by plants and trees.
Pollen
and mold counts: A measure of the amount of allergens
in the air. The counts are usually reported for mold
spores and three types of pollen: grasses, trees, and
weeds. The count is reported as grains per cubic meter
of air and is translated into a corresponding level:
absent, low, medium, or high.
Pulmonary
function test: A test that measures how much air is
in the lungs and how forcefully this air can be exhaled
(lung function).
RAST
(radioallergosorbent test): Blood test used to identify
the substances that are causing your allergy symptoms
and to estimate a relative sensitivity.
Sinusitis:
Inflammation of the sinuses caused by bacterial infection.
Acute sinusitis is the sudden onset of symptoms that
can be treated with antibiotics and decongestants. Chronic
sinusitis is characterized by at least four recurrences
of sinusitis or infection that last 12 weeks or longer.
Tympanometry:
A test in which sound and air pressure are used to check
for fluid in the middle ear.
Urticaria
(hives): Itchy, swollen, red bumps or patches on the
skin that appear suddenly as a result of the body's
adverse reaction to certain allergens. They can appear
anywhere on the body including the face, lips, tongue,
throat, or ears. Hives vary in size and can last for
minutes or days.
Reviewed
by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of
Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine.
Edited
by Charlotte E. Grayson, MD, Feb. 2004, WebMD.
Portions
of this page © The Cleveland Clinic 2000-2004
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