Glossary

• Allergens:
  An antigenic substance capable of producing immediate-type of hypersensitivity.
• Alveoli:
  A sac-like end-organ of the bronchioles where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged.
• Antigens:
  Substances which are capable of inducing a specific immune response.
• Asthmatic bronchitis:
  Bronchial inflammatory condition suggestive of hyper-responsiveness of the lung tubes, producing a narrowing of the air passage leading to tube spasm and hence the difficulty in respiration.
• Bronchial:
  Pertaining to the bronchus (plural: bronchi), affecting the bronchi.
• Bronchial Asthma:
  An obstructive lung condition due to heightened sensitivity of the lung tubes, where, due to the reversible obstruction one experiences difficulty in breathing.
• Bronchitis:
  An inflammatory condition of the bronchus or bronchi.
• Bronchodilator:
  It is a medication that acts to enlarge (dilate) the lumen of the airway to allow an unrestricted passage of air. This medication is commonly given to those with asthma who manifest wheezing.
• Bronchioles:
  One of the millions of small end-branches of the bronchi, which transports oxygen.
• Bronchus:
  One of the two branches of the trachea, the main air-pipe joining the nose and the lungs.
• Chronic:
  Persisting over a long period of time.
• Dyspnoea:
  Difficult respiration
• GERD:
  Stands for Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease, a disorder in which there is the recurrent return of stomach contents back up into the food-pipe, frequently causing heartburn.
• Immunological system:
  It is the body system, made up of many organs and cells, which defends the body against infection, disease, and foreign substances.
• Sinus:
  A notch, depression or hollow cavity on the surface of an organ. More commonly associated with cavities in the proximity of the nose.
• Sinusitis:
  An inflammation of a sinus.
• Trachea:
  The main air-pipe, which bifurcates into two bronchi, each, going to the respective lung.
• Wheeze:
  It means to breathe hard, and with an audible piping or whistling sound, as found in persons affected with asthma.