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Allergen: A substance that triggers an allergic reaction.
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Allergic Rhinitis: An allergy affecting the mucus membrane of the nose. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is often called "hay fever."
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Allergist: A doctor that diagnoses, treats, and manages allergy-related conditions.
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Ana-Kit: A device used to inject epinephrine during an anaphylaxis attack.
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Anaphylaxis: A life-threatening allergic reaction that involves the entire body. Anaphylaxis may result in shock or death, and thus requires immediate medical attention
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Animal dander: The small scales or pieces of skin, often containing proteins secreted by oil glands, which are shed by an animal. These proteins are the major causes of allergies to pets.
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Antibiotics: A class of medications used to treat bacterial infections. Certain antibiotics, such as penicillin, may cause an allergic reaction in some people.
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Antibody: A protein in the immune system that recognizes and attacks foreign substances in the body.
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Anticonvulsant: A medication used to prevent or treat seizures. Certain anticonvulsants may cause an allergic reaction in some people.
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Antihistamines: A class of medications used to block the action of histamines in the body and prevent the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
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Asthma: An inflammatory disorder of the airways, causing periodic attacks of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
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Atopic dermatitis: A chronic skin rash, also known as "eczema," that often appears in the first few years of life.
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Basophil: An immune system cell that attaches to antibodies and circulates through out the blood.
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Beta-blockers: A class of blood pressure medications that ease the heart's pumping action and widen the blood vessels. Beta-blockers counteract the effects of epinephrine used for emergency treatment of anaphylactic shock and should not be used during immunotherapy.
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Bronchial tubes: The lower sections of the airway that lead into the lungs.
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Challenge test: A test used to confirm an allergy to specific substance. A doctor will administer small but increasing amounts of a suspected allergen until an allergic response is noticed. Due to the risk of anaphylaxis, this should only be performed under a controlled setting.
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Conjunctivitis: Inflammation of the conjunctiva, or the mucous membrane surrounding the eye. Also known as pinkeye.
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Corticosteroid: An anti-inflammatory medication used to treat the itching and swelling associated with some allergic reactions.
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Cromolym sodium: An anti-inflammatory nasal spray used to treat and sometimes prevent allergic rhinitis.
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Decongestants: A class of medications used for nasal congestion. Decongestants are available in oral doses, nasal sprays, or eye drops (for conjunctivitis).
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Dust mites: A microscopic organism that lives in dust.
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Eczema: See Atopic dermatitis.
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Eosinophil: A specific type of immune cell that can cause tissue damage in the late phase of an allergic reaction.
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Epinepherine: A medication used for immediate treatment of anaphylaxis by raising blood pressure and heart rate back to normal levels. Epinepherine is also known as adrenaline.
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EpiPen: A device used to inject epinephrine during an anaphylaxis attack.
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Heparin: A chemical released by basophils and mast cells that causes nearby tissues to become swollen and inflamed.
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Histamine: A chemical released by basophils and mast cells that causes nearby tissues to become swollen and inflamed.
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Hives: See urticaria.
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Hypertension: High blood pressure. When blood pushes against artery walls harder than normal.
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Immunoglobulin E: A type of antibody responsible for most allergic reactions.
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Immunotherapy: A series of shots that help build up the immune system's tolerance to an allergen.
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Insulin: A hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. Diabetics who take insulin derived from animals may have allergic reactions.
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Intradermal test: A test where an allergen is injected just underneath the skin. Intradermal tests are generally used when results from a skin prick test are unclear.
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Late Phase: The period 4 - 24 hours after exposure to an allergen where tissue damage may occur.
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Leukotrienes: Inflammatory substances that are released by mast cells during an allergic response or asthma attack.
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Lymphocyte: A specific type of immune cell that can cause tissue damage in the late phase of an allergic reaction.
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Mast cell: An immune system cell which attaches to antibodies and is located in the tissue that lines the nose, bronchial tubes, gastrointestinal tract, and the skin
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Neocromil sodium: An inhaled medication used to treat inflammation involved with asthma.
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Neutrophil: A specific type of immune cell that can cause tissue damage in the late phase of an allergic reaction.
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Radioallergosorbant Test (RAST): A blood test that measures the amount of IgE antibody produced when the sample is mixed with a specific allergen.
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Rhinitis: An inflammation of the nasal passageways, particularly with discharge.
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Sinusitis: An inflammation or infection of one or more sinuses. The sinuses are hollow air spaces located around the nose and eyes.
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Skin prick test: A test where a needle is used to scratch the skin with a small amount of allergen. A response can usually be seen within 15 - 20 minutes.
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Urticaria: Raised areas of the skin that are often red, warm, and itchy. Urticaria is also known as hives.
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Urushiol: An oil found on poison ivy, oak, and sumac.
QUESTION: Will a change of diet
improve my osteoarthritis?
DR. ALAN GREENE: Obesity is known to increase the odds of developing
osteoarthritis, and to increase the progression of osteoarthritis in someone
who already has it. Losing excess weight has been associated with reducing
the pain and disability of osteoarthritis, especially if the person loses excess
body fat.
Research has not yet proven that eating larger amounts of certain foods will
prevent osteoarthritis or reverse its effects. Yet it is prudent to control
obesity by limiting calories, opting for healthy eating habits, and cutting
down on the intake of fatty foods. Some changes in body chemicals related to
painful inflammation can be initiated by replacing red meats with fish and
by using certain vegetable oils. Some people believe that 'acid foods' cause
arthritis. This is not the case. In addition, alcohol does not affect osteoarthritis,
although alcoholism can damage bone and be a secondary cause of osteoarthritis.
QUESTION: I have broken my knee
twice playing football. Will I develop osteoarthritis in that joint?
DR. ALAN GREENE: It is possible. Joint trauma is known to be a factor
in the development of osteoarthritis. Furthermore, if a bone is broken near
a joint, there is a greater likelihood of developing osteoarthritis in the
joint itself.
QUESTION: My stomach is easily
upset. Will arthritis medicine upset my stomach or give me an ulcer?
DR. ALAN GREENE: Make sure that your health care provider knows about
your stomach problems so that they can prescribe a pain reliever that does
not irritate the stomach or cause bleeding from or ulcers in the stomach, which
these medications can sometimes do. Suitable choices may be an aspirin-free
pain reliever, such as acetaminophen, or an NSAID (non-steroid anti-inflammatory
drug) that causes fewer GI symptoms (such as salsalate). As an alternative,
the health care provider may prescribe another medication to lessen the side
effects of NSAIDs. In some cases, it may be beneficial to switch to a COX-2
inhibitor that significantly lessens the chance of stomach problems, although
this medication also has important side effects.
QUESTION: Will moving to a different
climate improve my osteoarthritis?
DR. ALAN GREENE: It is well known that arthritis sufferers often feel
more joint pain in damp locations, just before it rains, or sometimes during
humid periods. However, osteoarthritis occurs in all climates. The effect of
the weather on symptoms really is temporary and does not actually affect the
disease. This means that climate does not improve or worsen arthritis, although
it may affect the symptoms.
QUESTION: I have osteoarthritis
in my hip joint. Will I need surgery to correct it?
DR. ALAN GREENE: Very likely, no. Most people with osteoarthritis never
need to have surgery. Surgery only becomes an option if the person suffers
from (1) severe pain that is not relieved by available treatment methods, (2)
a dramatically impaired ability to perform daily activities, or (3) marked
joint instability. Simpler treatments must be tried before surgery is considered.
QUESTION: Both my mother and father
had osteoarthritis. Am I likely to get it too?
DR. ALAN GREENE: Heredity appears to play a role in osteoarthritis,
although the exact causes remain unknown. In a few people scientists have found
an abnormal gene that causes the early breakdown of joint cartilage. This eventually
may lead to the development of osteoarthritis. However, it doesn't at all follow
that you'll develop osteoarthritis in a joint just because a parent has it.
QUESTION: What is the difference
between osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?
DR. ALAN GREENE: The principle features of the two conditions are not
the same, and their treatment is very different. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage
in the joint becomes damaged and, ultimately, the joint degenerates. The joint
is not primarily inflamed, although inflammation may occur as a late result.
On the other hand, in rheumatoid arthritis, there is initial inflammation
of the lining of the joint. This produces a soft, tender swelling in contrast
to the bony enlargement of osteoarthritis. Cartilage damage occurs later as
a result of this inflammation. The pain of osteoarthritis is often least troublesome
in the morning but may gradually worsen during the day. With rheumatoid arthritis,
the pain and stiffness usually is worst upon waking, but gradually improves
during the day.
Rheumatoid arthritis is not just a disease of the joints. Abnormalities occur
in the blood vessels, circulating cells, and proteins, as well as connective
tissue. Not surprisingly, rheumatoid arthritis is associated with more generalized
disturbances -- such as anemia (low red blood cell count) -- which are proportional
to the activity of the arthritis. Usually more than one joint is involved in
rheumatoid arthritis, with the hands almost always affected.
Review Date: 11/22/2006
Reviewed By: Alan Greene, M.D., F.A.A.P., Stanford University School of Medicine;
Chief Medical Officer, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
