Glossary:
Allergen: A substance that can trigger an allergic reaction. Asthma can be triggered by dust mites, animal dander, mold, and cockroaches.Allergy: A hypersensitivity of the body's immune system in response to exposure to specific substances (antigens), such as pollen, beestings, poison ivy, drugs, or foods. Anaphylactic shock is a severe form of allergy response which is a medical emergency. Symptoms of anaphylactic shock include dizziness, loss of consiousness, labored breathing, swelling of the tongue and breathing tubes, blueness of the skin, low blood pressure, and death.
Allergic rhinitis: irritation of the nasal passages and the whites of the eyes, causing sneezing, runny nose, and sore eye.
Antihistamine: Drug used to offset the effects of histamine.
Decongestants: An agent that relieves congestion (as of mucous membranes) in Ear, Nose.
Immunotherapy: The artificial stimulation of the body's immune system to treat or fight disease.
Inhaler: A device used to introduce a powdered or misted drug into the lungs through the mouth, usually to treat respiratory disorders such as asthm.
Mast cell: A type of cell present in most body tissues that releases substances in response to an allergen, which causes symptoms such as inflammation.
Steroid: Any of numerous organic compounds, including cortisone, estrogen, and testosterone, each of which has many effects on the body.
