Acute
Sharp or severe in effect; intense
Airways
Small tubes in the lungs
Atopy
A state that makes people more likely to develop allergic reactions of any type, including the inflammation and airway narrowing typical of asthma
Bronchodilator
A substance that opens up the small tubes in the lungs, allowing people to breathe more easily.
Chronic
Persistent
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an umbrella term for people with chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both.
Confounded (http://www.cochrane.org/glossary)
Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT)
A study in which people are allocated at random (by chance alone) to receive either an interventions (e.g. medication, physio, education) or a comparison (e.g. a placebo, usual care or different intervention).
Exacerbation
An increase in the severity of a disease or in any of its signs or symptoms
FEV1
Forced expiratory volume in 1 second. The amount of air that is exhaled in 1 second.
Heterogeneity (http://www.cochrane.org/glossary)
Homogenous
All of the same or similar kind or nature
Hyperinflation
Excessive inflation or expansion, as of the lungs; overinflation
Interventions
Any measure (e.g. medication, physio, education, etc.), the purpose of which is to improve health or alter the course of disease
Long-acting beta2-agonists
Long-term medications taken either routinely or taken during an exacerbation to control bronchoconstriction (narrowing of the airway that occurs in an asthma attack)
Lung function tests
Tests that measure how the lungs are working – e.g. FEV1
Nocturnal
Occurring/active at night
Peak expiratory flow
The peak expiratory flow rate measures how fast a person can breathe out (exhale) air. It is one of many tests that measures how well the lungs are working
Pharmacokinetic
The process by which a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated by the body
Prednisolone
A corticosteroid.
Prednisone
A corticosteroid.
Short-acting β2-agonists
Quick-relief or "rescue" medications that provide quick fast, temporary relief from asthma symptoms or flare-ups
Spirometry - see Lung Function Test
Sputum
The mucus and other matter brought up from the lungs that may be coughed up
Wheeze
To breathe with difficulty usually with a whistling sound