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GlossaryThe presence of noxious substances in the air we breathe. An allergen is any substance that triggers an allergic reaction. Common respiratory allergens are grass pollen, mould spores or house dust mite faeces (present in dust); other allergens may affect the skin or the digestive system. Allergies are inappropriate reactions of the immune response to substances (allergens) that normally wouldn't cause any noticeable effects. Most allergic reactions involve the allergen binding on to special immune system cells and causing these cells to release compounds that affect the surrounding tissue. One such compound is histamine. It causes itching and inflammation. Chemicals that block the effect of histamine are called antihistamines, and they are standard allergy medication. However, they are not particularly effective in asthma. Allergies are inappropriate or exaggerated reactions of the immune system to substances that, in the majority of people, cause no symptoms. Symptoms of the allergic diseases may be caused by exposure of the skin to a chemical, of the respiratory system to particles of dust or pollen (or other substances), or of the stomach and intestines to a particular food. Anaphylaxis, or anaphylactic shock, is a severe, frightening and life-threatening allergic reaction. The reaction, although rare, can occur after an insect sting or as a reaction to an injected drug - for example, penicillin or antitetanus (horse) serum. Less commonly, the reaction occurs after a particular food or drug has been taken by mouth. An antibody is a protein (also called an immunoglobulin) that is manufactured by lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) to neutralize an antigen or foreign protein. Bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms commonly contain many antigens, as do pollens, dust mites, molds, foods, and other substances. Although many types of antibodies are protective, inappropriate or excessive formation of antibodies may lead to illness. When the body forms a type of antibody called IgE (immunoglobulin E), allergic rhinitis, asthma or eczema may result when the patient is again exposed to the substance which caused IgE antibody formation (allergen). An antigen is a substance that can trigger an immune response, resulting in production of an antibody as part of the body's defense against infection and disease. Many antigens are foreign proteins (those not found naturally in the body). An allergen is a special type of antigen which causes an IgE antibody response. Antihistamines are a group of drugs that block the effects of histamine, a chemical released in body fluids during an allergic reaction. In rhinitis, antihistamines reduce itching, sneezing, and runny nose. Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory lung disease characterized by recurrent breathing problems. People with asthma have acute episodes or when the air passages in their lungs get narrower, and breathing becomes more difficult. Sometimes episodes of asthma are triggered by allergens, although infection, exercise, cold air and other factors are also important triggers. A colorless, odorless gas which can be created whenever a fuel (such as wood, gasoline, coal, natural gas, or kerosene) is burning. The short hair-like structures on the surfaces of the cells lining the nose, pharynx, and trachea of the human respiratory system, which beat in waves to carry foreign particles and mucus away from the lungs. Refers to the electric and magnetic fields which surround both big power lines that distribute power and the smaller but closer electric lines in homes and appliances. The healthcare specialty concerned with human illnesses or dysfunctions that result from environmental factors. Extrinsic asthma is asthma that is triggered by an allergic reaction, usually something that is inhaled. A widely used term referring to unexplained illnesses occurring in Gulf War veterans. See Rhinitis. See Urticaria. Histamine is a chemical present in cells throughout the body that is released during an allergic reaction. Histamine is one of the substances responsible for the symptoms on inflammation and is the major reason for running of the nose, sneezing, and itching in allergic rhinitis. It also stimulates production of acid by the stomach and narrows the bronchi or airways in the lungs. Tiny mites (about one-third of a millimetre long) that feed off human skin flakes and bodily secretions. They colonize houses, especially in warm, humid areas. They tend to live in carpets, mattresses, pillows and soft furnishings. Although quite harmless, their droppings contain substances that are allergens. Exposure to the droppings (invisible to the eye) can cause sneezing, itchy, red eyes or asthma attacks. The immune system is a collection of cells and proteins that works to protect the body from potentially harmful, infectious microorganisms (microscopic life-forms), such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. The immune system plays a role in the control of cancer and other diseases, but also is the culprit in the phenomena of allergies, hypersensitivity and the rejection of transplanted organs, tissues and medical implants. Immunoglobulins, also known as antibodies, are proteins found in blood and in tissue fluids. Immunoglobulins are produced by cells of the immune system called B-lymphocytes. Their function is to bind to substances in the body that are recognized as foreign antigens (often proteins on the surface of bacteria and viruses). This binding is a crucial event in the destruction of the microorganisms that bear the antigens. Immunoglobulins also play a central role in allergies when they bind to antigens that are not necessarily a threat to health and provoke an inflammatory reaction. Immunotherapy ("allergy shots") is a form of preventive and anti-inflamamtory treatment of allergy to substances such as pollens, house dust mites, fungi, and stinging insect venom. Immunotherapy involves giving gradually increasing doses of the substance, or allergen, to which the person is allergic. The incremental increases of the allergen cause the immune system to become less sensitive to the substance, perhaps by causing production of a particular "blocking" antibody, which reduces the symptoms of allergy when the substances is encountered in the future. Inflammation is the redness, swelling, heat and pain in a tissue due to chemical or physical injury, or to infection. It is a characteristic of allergic reactions in the nose, lungs, and skin. Intrinsic asthma is asthma that has no apparent external cause. A lymphocyte is any of a group of white blood cells of crucial importance to the adaptive part of the body's immune system. The adaptive portion of the immune system mounts a tailor-made defense when dangerous invading organisms penetrate the body's general defenses. A microscopic fungus that grows and lives on plant or animal matter or on non-organic objects. Most molds are made up of filaments and reproduce through the production of spores, which spread by air, water, or insects. Chemical formula NOx . This covers the gases nitric oxide (chemical formula NO) and nitrogen dioxide (chemical formula NO2 ). Both can be toxic but nitrogen dioxide is considered to be of most concern for asthmatics. The main source of the gases in urban areas are motor vehicle exhaust and gas cookers and kerosene heaters indoors. The brown haze sometimes seen over cities is mainly nitrogen oxides. These gases are also partly responsible for the generation of ozone, when acted upon by sunlight in the presence of other chemicals. Although air pollution can cause irritating symptoms and increased asthma symptoms in some people, it is unlikely to be an important cause of asthma in Australia. Ozone (O3 ) is a form of oxygen. It is a colourless gas that has a very pungent odour. It exists naturally at low concentrations in the stratosphere where it absorbs ultraviolet radiation. In the troposphere it exists naturally at extremely low concentrations. But these concentrations increase when sunlight acts on various gases, coming mainly from vehicle exhausts, and ozone then becomes a pollutant in the troposphere. Ozone is a highly corrosive gas and is poisonous to most organisms. At concentrations as low as 0.00001 per cent (or 10 parts per hundred million) it can irritate the membranes lining the nose, throat and airways and can trigger or exacerbate asthma attacks. A colorless naturally occurring radioactive, inert gas formed by radioactive decay of radium atoms in soil or rocks. The respiratory system is the group of organs responsible for carrying oxygen from the air to the bloodstream and for expelling the waste product carbon dioxide. Rhinitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane that lines the nose, often due to an allergy to pollen, dust or other airborne substances. Seasonal allergic rhinitis also is known as "hay fever," a disorder which causes sneezing, itching, a runny nose and nasal congestion. The sinuses (paranasal sinuses) are air cavities within the facial bones. They are lined by mucous membranes similar to those in other parts of the airways. Urticaria is a skin condition, common known as hives, characterized by the development of itchy, raised white lumps surrounded by an area of red inflammation.
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