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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.
Weight control is important to successful arthritis management. Research suggests
that:
- Being overweight is a risk factor for osteoarthritis
- Overweight young adults are likely to develop osteoarthritis of the knee
as they age
Controlling your weight control can:
- Lessen pain by reducing stress on the weight-bearing joints (hips, knees,
back, feet)
- Increase self-esteem and avoid the risk of psychological suffering and
depression that can affect overweight individuals
Weight loss should be coupled with a regimen of more physical activity. A
productive goal is a total of 30 minutes of daily exercise. People with osteoarthritis
may need to alter their exercise habits, but most people with it can exercise.
Regular exercise is very important for successful control of osteoarthritis.
Strengthening and stretching exercises can help by:
- Relieving pain and improve joint movement
- Building up the muscles around the joint, making the joint more stable
and resisting further damage
Specific exercises may be prescribed to improve strength and range of motion
in particular joints and muscles. Three types of exercise are used to treat
osteoarthritis:
Stretching exercise
Also called range-of-motion (ROM) exercise, stretching exercise helps to maintain
joint flexibility and reach. It includes anything that puts a joint through
its fullest range of motion (for example, stretching the shoulder joint by
holding the arms out at the sides and circling them in a windmill fashion).
Stretching exercise often is more easily performed if the person takes a pain
reliever or applies heat to the joint before starting to exercise.
Isometric exercise
This is exercise in which muscles are tensed for a period without actually
moving them. It can be performed without actually bending a painful joint.
As muscles are exercised against resistance, their size and power will increase.
Aerobic exercise
This is endurance-building exercise that improves cardiopulmonary (heart and
lung) fitness. For most individuals with osteoarthritis, the best aerobic exercises
are:
- Swimming (especially in a heated pool)
- Walking on level ground
Such gentle exercises are less stressful on the joints. Water exercise
is especially recommended for people who have osteoarthritis of the large
joints (hips, knees). The buoyancy of the water makes it possible to
exercise while the body weight is supported.
 |
People with osteoarthritis
of the weight-bearing joints should avoid activities such as jogging
and tennis. These sports can put too much strain on the legs or
require sharp turns and twisting movements.
In addition, exercise bicycles should be used with caution
by people with arthritic knees. |
|
Since pain may worsen with increased activity, people with advanced osteoarthritis
may need to take several rest periods during the day. On the other hand, too
much inactivity can worsen osteoarthritis by causing increasing stiffness.
An optimal treatment plan should achieve a balance between daily exercise and
adequate rest.
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.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-
A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
