Asthma Glossary
Oral corticosteroid - a cortisone-derived medication that acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) - the rate at which your lungs move air through your airways. PEFR indicates how well the bronchial tubes in your lungs are working and can help anticipate a coming asthma attack.
Peak flow meter - a device used to measure lung capacity, known as peak expiratory flow (PEF). You exhale forcefully into a mouthpiece, and the force of the exhalation triggers a measurement device to register a numeric value. Small, lightweight, and inexpensive, the peak flow meter is easily used at home, and most physicians recommend use in order to track peak flow measurements on a daily basis in some patients.
Pollen - a powdery grain produced by flowering plants. It can be an allergic substance and an asthma trigger.
Pulmonary function test - a breathing test that allows the asthma doctor to assess and evaluate asthma.
Quick relief medication (Rescue medication) - Short-acting bronchodilator that works quickly to relieve symptoms and asthma episodes.
Rhinitis - an inflammation of the mucus membranes of the nose.
Severe persistent asthma - Asthma with continuous and frequent flare-ups that limits physical activity. Symptoms are frequent during the night. Lung functions are less than 60 percent.
Sinusitis - a condition in which inflammation is accompanied by infection in the membranes in the sinuses.
Skin testing - Test that involves placing a drop of a suspected allergen on the skin and pricking, puncturing, or scratching the skin to see if the allergen produces a reaction. Skin testing is used to identify specific allergens that trigger symptoms.
Spacer - A spacer is a holding chamber that fits on the opening of your inhaler. By using a spacer device you will help the medication get to your lungs. Normally, 80 to 90 percent of an MDI dose is left in the mouth and throat, allowing only 10 to 20 percent of the dose into the lungs. The portion left in the mouth consists of larger particles that are too heavy to make the long trip to the lungs. These particles dissolve, are absorbed by tissue, and then sent via the gastrointestinal system to the rest of the body. (This is taken into account when a dosage is prescribed, so do NOT increase the dosage on your own.) By using a spacer device, this effect can be reduced since larger particles are left in the spacer rather than in the mouth.
Spirometry - measurement of the breathing capacity by means of a spirometer. Spirometry is a painless breathing test that measures air volume and flow rate of the lungs.
Triggers - factors that cause or worsen your asthma symptoms. They can include allergens, infections, dust, smoke, weather changes, and many other phenomena.
Urticaria - the medical term for hives. It is an allergic reaction of the skin consisting of itchy, raised white lumps surrounded by an area of red inflammation.
Vocal Cord Dysfunction (VCD) - an abnormal closure of the front two-thirds of the vocal cords during breathing. This condition can mimic the symptoms of asthma. Doing a pulmonary function test, a rhinoscopy, and speech therapy evaluation makes a diagnosis of VCD.
Wheeze - a high-pitched whistling sound that occurs when air flows through a narrowed bronchial tube.
PROVENTIL® HFA Inhalation Aerosol is indicated in adults and children 4 years of age and older for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm with reversible obstructive airway disease and for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm.
Albuterol (CFC) Inhalation Aerosol is indicated in patients 12 years of age and older for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm with reversible obstructive airway disease and for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm.
Important Safety Information
If your symptoms become significantly worse when you use PROVENTIL® HFA or Albuterol (CFC) Inhalation Aerosols, contact your doctor immediately because this reaction can be life threatening. Worsening symptoms often occur with the first use of a new canister.
What to tell your doctor before using PROVENTIL® HFA or Albuterol (CFC) Inhalation Aerosols: If you have a heart, blood, or seizure disorder, high blood pressure, diabetes, or an overactive thyroid, be sure to tell your doctor. Also make sure your doctor knows all medications you are taking — especially heart medications and drugs that treat depression — because some medications may interfere with how well your asthma medications work.
Side effects with PROVENTIL® HFA and Albuterol (CFC) Inhalation Aerosols are similar: In a clinical study, side effects associated with PROVENTIL® HFA and Albuterol (CFC) Inhalation Aerosols were similar and included infection of the ears, nose, and throat, runny nose, nausea, tremor, and nervousness. Rapid heart beat, vomiting, chest pain, and palpitation occurred more frequently with PROVENTIL® HFA.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
For additional important product information, see The PROVENTIL® HFA Package Insert.
For additional important product information on the Warrick inhaler, see The Albuterol Package Insert.
Note: The information on this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have any questions about your treatment or medical condition, please consult your doctor or other qualified health care provider.
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