Allergy – A condition where in some people their immune system reacts to common substances in the environment to which most other people don’t react.  Examples of these common substances are dust, pets, pollens and molds.  These substances are also called “allergens” or “triggers”.  Typical symptoms include a runny and stuffy nose, sneezing, and itching, but allergies can also cause breathing problems like asthma or skin symptoms as well.

Allergen – A substance that causes an allergic reaction.  Common allergens include dust mites, pet dander, plant pollens, mold spores and foods.

Anti-inflammatory medicine – A type of controller medicine.  They slowly bring down the inflammation, or swelling, in the air passages, making it easier to breathe and preventing future asthma symptoms.

Asthma – A chronic disease of the lungs that causes trouble breathing.  Asthma is usually related, at least in part, to allergies.  The trouble breathing is due to the lung air passages being blocked by a combination of inflammation (swelling), bronchoconstriction (squeezing shut) and mucus plugging of the passages.

Asthma Action Plan – A written plan with directions and instructions on how to manage your child’s asthma every day and during emergencies.  The plan is developed together by your clinician in partnership with the family.

Asthma attack – When asthma symptoms suddenly increase and it becomes harder to breathe.  Attacks can range from mild to life-threatening.  They can develop slowly or happen very fast.  Asthma attacks need to be treated as soon as possible.  The Asthma Action Plan should include directions to treat asthma attacks.

Bronchoconstriction – A process when the muscles that are wrapped around the airways tighten, and squeeze the airways closed.  This is one of the ways that asthma causes trouble breathing.  The bronchoconstriction part of asthma is treated with bronchodilator medicines (also known as reliever or quick relief medicines).

Bronchodilator medicine – A type of reliever medicine.  They quickly relax the muscles that wrap around the airways, allowing the air passages to open up, thereby making it easier to breathe.

Chronic – To last for a long time or to happen over and over again.  Asthma is a chronic disease.

Clinician – A clinician is a person who provides health care.  Your clinician may be a doctor, nurse practitioner or nurse, physician assistant or respiratory therapist.

Controller medicine– Also called “long-term control” medicine. A type of medicine used to keep asthma under control.  Must be taken everyday, even when no asthma symptoms are present, to prevent asthma from coming back.  Most controller medicines treat the inflammation (swelling) part of asthma.

DPI (dry powder inhaler) – A small portable device that delivers inhaled asthma medicine in the form of a very small fine dry powder.  There are several different types of DPIs.

Inflammation – A process where the air passages in the lungs get swollen and blocked.  This is one of the ways that asthma causes trouble breathing.  The inflammation part of asthma is treated with anti-inflammatory medicines (also known as controller or long-term control medicines).

MDI (metered-dose inhaler) – A small portable device that delivers inhaled asthma medicine in the form of a pressurized spray.  There are several different types of MDIs.

Mucus – A thick sticky liquid that is normally made in small quantities in the nose and lungs (and many other places in the body).  People with asthma make much more and thicker mucus in their lungs.  Sometimes mucus can block lung air passages and is one of the ways asthma causes trouble breathing.  Asthma controller medicines help decrease the production of mucus.

Nebulizer – An electronic machine that turns certain liquid asthma medicines into a mist that can then be inhaled (breathed in).  There are many different types of nebulizers.

Peak flow meter – A device that, when used by people with asthma, quickly estimates lung function.  It works like a thermometer for asthma.  The current peak flow number is compared to the personal best peak flow number.  The lower the number, the more the airways are blocked and the worse the asthma.  A peak flow meter is usually used together with an Asthma Action Plan.

Personal best – The highest number that a particular person with asthma can blow on their peak flow meter when their asthma is under good control.  Once the personal best peak flow number is determined, all future peak flow numbers are compared to the personal best to give the person an idea of how much asthma they are having.  The personal best number increases as the asthma improves and as the child grows.

Reliever medicine – Also called “quick relief” medicine. A type of medicine used to quickly make asthma symptoms go away.  Is taken when asthma symptoms are happening, but is not taken on a regular schedule.  Most reliever medicines treat the bronchoconstriction part of asthma.  The amount of reliever medicine that someone needs can be used to help estimate that person’s level of asthma severity and control.  

Spacer – A device used along with a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) that helps people use MDIs better.  Spacers are essential for all young children who use MDIs, and is helpful in many older children and adults also.  Spacers help by increasing the amount of inhaled medicine that reaches the lung, and cuts down on side effects in the mouth and throat.  There are many different types of spacers, but the most common involve attaching MDIs to tubes or bags before inhaling. 

Trigger – Is something that starts an asthma attack.  A trigger can be an allergen such as dust mites, pet dander or pollens.  It can be other irritating substances in the air, like tobacco smoke, pollution or strong odors.  It can be an infection like a cold, a change in climate, exercise, or even strong emotions.  Everyone with asthma has their own set of triggers.  Part of treating asthma is finding out what your triggers are, and then trying to get rid of them.