Asthma triggers: These are normally non-threatening things like dust mites, molds, stress and scents that "trigger" asthma symptoms. The immune systems of people wityh asthma may overreact to these typically harmless substances. Airways that have a greater degree of inflammation are more sensitive to these triggers, and may result in "more severe" asthma attacks.
Rescue medicines: Medically known as bronchodilators, these "quick relief" asthma medicines dilate and relaxe the air passages in your lungs. The most common ones used in the U.S. are Ventolin and Xopenex.
Controller medicine: These are typically inhaled steroids, somtimes combined with long-acting bronchodilators (or LABAs), and are also called preventative meds. When taken correctly and as directed, they are meant to prevent one from having an asthma attack, to limit the severity of attacks, and to help one maintain good control of asthma. Some commonly used medicines in this group are Azmacort and Flovent. Advair and Symbicort are examples of combination medicines that contain both a steroid and a LABA. The drug Singulair is an example of a "controller" medicine that is NOT a steroid.
Asthma Action Plan: The asthma guidelines recommend all asthmatics develop a partnership with their doctors to create a plan to help them understand when to take action (use rescue inhaler, call physician or go to the ER). The guidelines note that
"either peak flow monitoring or symptom monitoring, if taught and followed correctly, may be equally effective."
Asthma Symptoms: These are "symptoms" an asthmatic experiences when an asthma attack is impending (early warning signs) and when an attack is ongoing (Asthma attack symptoms).
Peak flow meter: This is a device used to determine "how well your lungs are functioning," according to National Jewish Health. This is recommended as part of the asthma action plan for children and anyone who has difficulty perceiving asthma symptoms.
Controlled Asthma: This is the ultimate goal of all asthma doctors for all their asthmatic patients. 1) Asthma symptoms are minimized. 2) Functional impairments are minimized. This means school and work are rarely missed due to asthma. One should be able to maintain a relatively normal activity level and a normal standard of living. 3) The risk of future asthma attacks is minimized. 4) The goals set forth by you and your physician are met. For most asthmatics, this means you rarely need your rescue medicine, and rarely need to make unscheduled visits to the ER.
If you come across an asthma term you want defined, leave a note in the comments below, or ask a question in our Q&A section.
