Allergies Glossary: H-I
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This article is from the Health Articles series.
Allergies Glossary: H-I
Hay Fever Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose and sinuses due to allergic response; also known as allergic rhinitis. Hemoglobin The iron-containing protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the tissues.
Hemorrhage General term for loss of blood caused by injury to the blood vessels or by a low level of the blood elements necessary for clotting.
Hemothorax Accumulation of blood in the cavity around the lungs.
Hyaline Membrane Disease A respiratory disease of newborns, especially premature infants, in which a membrane composed of proteins and dead cells forms and lines the alveoli, making gas exchange difficult or impossible.
Hilum In the lungs, the area where bronchi, blood vessels, and nerves connect to each lung.
Histamine A compound found in cells throughout the body that is released during an allergic reaction, it is one of the substances responsible for the symptoms of inflammation.
Histamine Blocking Agents Drugs that impede the stimulation of cells by interfering with the action of histamine rather than by preventing its secretion.
Hives See Urticaria.
Hypersensitivity Abnormally susceptible physiologically to a specific agent (as a drug or antigen)
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis A group of allergic lung disorders that result from inhaling substances such as dusts and molds.
Hypertension High blood pressure.
Hypoxemia Not enough oxygen in the blood.
Immune Response The immune system's response to neutralize or eliminate foreign antigens. The bodys first reaction to its perception of the presence of a foreign invader is the inflammatory response, which is a localized reaction involving sending fluids and protective agents to the site of invasion. (You may experience this as localized swelling, redness, pain or heat.) However, if further defenses are needed, there are more specific immune responses including T-cell-mediated immunity and B-cell-mediated immunity.
Immune System Complex group of organs and cells that defend the body against infections and disease.
Immunization Protection from disease by administering vaccines that induce the body to form antibodies against disease-causing organisms.
Immunoglobulin (Ig) A group of related proteins which may act like antibodies. IgE plays a major role in allergic reactions.
Immunologist An allergist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases and problems involving the immune system. Training includes medical school followed by postgraduate training in pediatrics or internal medicine and two additional years in allergy and immunology. The allergist/immunologist will take a detailed history, perform a specialized physical examination of the respiratory system for a patient suspected of having asthma, perform tests to identify the cause of the problem, and prescribe medication for allergies and asthma in order to develop a treatment plan to reduce allergic symptoms. See Allergist.
Infection Invasion and multiplication of disease-producing organisms in the body.
Inflammation Response of body tissues to injury. Typical signs are heat, swelling, redness, and pain.
Inspiration Taking air into the lungs (inhalation).
Intolerance An adverse reaction to food that is different than an allergic reaction. With food intolerance, the symptoms are usually due to problems digesting or metabolizing the food, whereas food allergy symptoms result from an immune system reaction to the food.
Intrinsic Asthma Asthma condition in which there in no apparent external cause.
Irritants Substances that act locally on cutaneous or mucosal surfaces to produce inflammation; those that cause redness due to hyperemia are called rubefacients; those that raise blisters are termed vesicants and those that penetrate sebaceous glands and cause abscesses are pustulants.
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