- Action plan
- Action plan is a written statement about what you’ll do when your symptoms change. Being prepared for worsening of asthma, or an abnormally high blood pressure reading, for example, can help you effectively deal with medical emergencies.
- Acute
- Acute describes the symptoms of a condition that occur intensely for a relatively short period of time.
- Adverse event
- Adverse event is an unexpected or dangerous reaction to a drug. A serious adverse event is one that is either fatal or life threatening, requires hospitalization or prolongation of hospitalization or results in persistent or significant disability.
- Aerobic
- Aerobic means "with oxygen". Aerobic exercise is any physical activity that requires the heart and lungs to work harder to meet the body's increased need for oxygen. Aerobic exercise promotes the circulation of oxygen through the blood.
- Allergen
- Allergen is a substance (like dust or pollen) that causes a person’s immune system to react, resulting in symptoms like difficulty breathing.
- Allergen immunotherapy
- Allergen immunotherapy, or allergy vaccines involve administering gradually increasing quantities of specific allergens to patients until they become "immune" to the allergens, and can tolerate them with fewer or no symptoms.
- Anaphylaxis
- Anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock, is a very serious and potentially life threatening allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms include a sharp drop in blood pressure, hives and difficulty breathing.
- Angina
- Angina is a heavy or squeezing chest pain that happens when your heart doesn’t get enough oxygenated blood. It’s a symptom of heart disease and is sometimes mistaken for indigestion.
- Anticholinergic
- Anticholinergic refers to a substance that blocks the effects of acetylcholine, a naturally occurring chemical that's involved in the transmission of nerve impulses in the body. Anticholinergic drugs are used to treat a variety of conditions including stomach cramps, asthma, motion sickness and muscle spasms.
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-inflammatory refers to a substance or treatment, such as oral or topical medication, that reduces inflammation, the body's response to injury. Anti-inflammatory drugs are used to treat a variety of conditions including asthma, pain associated with joint or tissue injury and stomach disorders.
- Atherosclerosis
- Atherosclerosis is a progressive hardening or narrowing of the arteries caused by the buildup of plaque along the walls of arteries. Plaque is made up of excess cholesterol, fat, calcium and other substances in the blood. Atherosclerosis is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease.
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