Glossary

Acute
Description of a disease or symptoms of short duration that are not expected to repeat, in contrast to a chronic condition.

Adhatoda vasica
A shrub that grows on the plains of India; it has been used in traditional Indian medicine for millennia to treat respiratory disorders. It contains the active ingredient vasicine.

Airways
The organs of the upper and lower respiratory tract that enable air to move into and out of the body: the mouth, nasal cavity, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli.

Alveoli
Tiny, balloon-like organs in the lungs that enable the exchange of fresh oxygen from inhaled air into the blood stream, and waste carbon dioxide out of the blood stream into the air to be exhaled.

Allergy
A physical reaction against an external irritant (allergen) which causes the immune system to overreact e.g. with watering eyes, red swellings on the skin, sneezing or coughing.

Ambroxol
The active ingredient in Mucosolvan®; an expectorant that enhances the bronchial secretions thereby loosening congested phlegm. Ambroxol increases the body's production of surfactant. Furthermore, Ambroxol has been shown to have local aesthetic properties which contribute to its soothing effect.

Antitussive
Another term for cough suppressant.

Asthma
A chronic condition often starting in childhood that requires expert medical attention. It involves inflammation of the airways which leads to episodic constriction of the airways. This can become life-threatening. Professional medical advice is required.

Ayurveda
Ancient Indian traditional medicine system. The word comes from the Hindu language and refers to "life" or "long life" (ayus) and "knowledge" (veda). See also: Adhatoda vasica.

Bacteria
Microorganisms some of which can attack the human body and cause infections. Cough with phlegm is often a symptom of a bacterial infection. Coughing can also spread bacteria to other people, so it is important to cover the mouth while coughing if other people are present.

Bronchi
The main airway tubes that branch off from the trachea channelling air to and from the lungs.

Bronchioles
The smaller air passages branching off from the bronchi taking air deeper into the lungs.

Bronchitis
An inflammation of the bronchi usually caused by viral infection. Symptoms include cough with phlegm.

Capillaries
Tiny blood vessels with thin walls. Capillaries in the lungs enable the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Capsule
Smooth, easy to swallow gelatinous casing containing the active ingredient in medication. Mucosolvan is available as capsule for adults.

Carbon dioxide
Chemical symbol: CO2. Waste gas produced by the cells of the body and transported from the blood stream into the air in the alveoli and exhaled.

Chronic
Description of a persistent illness. If referring to a cough: lasting more than two weeks. All chronic health conditions require professional medical assistance. See also: acute

Cilia
The microscopically small, fine hairs that line the windpipe and bronchi. Cilia constantly beat in an upwards direction, moving excess phlegm out of the respiratory system like a conveyor belt.

Complementary remedy
Treatment for an illness given together with conventional medicine with the aim of reducing the discomfort of the sufferer and hastening the recovery. Often based on traditional herbs or other plants.

COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A chronic condition leading to a narrowing of the airways and making it hard to breath. Up to 90% of COPD cases are caused by smoking. Symptoms include chronic productive cough. Professional medical assistance is required to treat COPD.

Croup

The name of a number of childhood illnesses involving inflammation of the upper respiratory system. Symptoms include a loud cough with a characteristic barking sound, sometimes like the barking of a seal. Professional medical attention is required.

Diaphragm
Strong sheet of muscles separating the chest cavity from the abdomen. When the diaphragm contracts it pulls downwards, drawing air into the lungs.

Dry cough
The dry cough is non-productive, tickling and irritating. The cough does not produce phlegm and is there is often a tickling feeling in the throat. A dry cough may develop into a cough with phlegm as the underlying illness progresses. See also: Tickling cough.

Dyspnoeic
Medical term for the condition of not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty.

Effervescent
Description of liquid that is bubbly and fizzy. Mucosolvan® is available is the form of dissolvable tablets to create a pleasant tasting effervescent solution.

Epithelia
The thin tissues lining the airways, the alimentary canal and other hollow structures in the body. See also: Nasal cavity

Exhale
To breath air out from the lungs.

Expectorant
Medication that makes it easier to eject access phlegm from the airways. See also: Mucolytic

Foreign body
A large or small object, e.g. pollen, a grain of dust or piece of food, that was unintentionally inhaled into the airways and causes irritation.

Flu
Short form of the word influenza.

Gas exchange
The process that takes place in the alveoli in which oxygen from inhaled air is transferred into the blood and carbon dioxide is transferred from blood into the alveoli to be exhaled.

Heartburn
Also knows as gastric reflux. Digestive acids from the stomach can rise up the food pipe (oesophagus) and irritate the airways, causing cough.

Immune system
The complex system of organs, tissues, cells, and cell products such as mucus that protects the body from potentially harmful organisms or substances.

Infection
The condition which results from the invasion of the body by microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria. Excess production of phlegm and coughing can be symptoms of an infection.

Inflammation
The redness, swelling and pain in body tissue, such as the tonsils or larynx, that results from infection. Inflammation in the airways can lead to cough, nasal congestion and fever.

Influenza
Influenza, also known as flu, is a potentially serious and very contagious illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the respiratory system. It is characterised by cough, fever, a sore throat, head and body aches and nasal congestion. Professional medical assistance is required, especially for the infirm or elderly. See also: Vaccine

Inhale
To breath air into the lungs.

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Lozenge
Another word for pastille.

Lungs
The main organs of the respiratory system which help transport oxygen into the blood stream and remove waste carbon dioxide from the blood stream.

Membrane
Another term for epithelium.

Micro-pearls
Mucosolvan® One-A-Day / Sustained Release Capsules contains more than 1,000 micro-pearls that dissolve the sticky phlegm deep down in the bronchi that causes coughs; smaller pearls act fast and larger pearls act long-term during the day.

Mucus
Mucus is a slippery secretion of the lining of various membranes in the body (mucus membranes). Mucus aids in the protection of the lungs by trapping foreign particles that enter the airways during normal breathing.

Mucosolvan®
Mucosolvan® is one of the world's leading therapies for cough. An expectorant with proven effectiveness, its active ingredient is Ambroxol. Mucosolvan® was first introduced in 1978 and today is available in a wide range of innovative, convenient forms.

Mucolytic
Another term for expectorant.

Nasal cavity
The space behind the nose that forms part of the upper respiratory system. The nasal cavity features mucus membranes (also called epithelia) that help trap foreign bodies in the air, thus acting as part of the respiratory system's self-protection mechanism.

Oxygen
Chemical symbol: O2. Comprising around 21% of air, this colourless, odourless gas is essential to the life processes of all living cells in the human body.

Oral cavity
The space inside the mouth, leading to the throat. Together with the nasal cavity, it forms the first section of the upper respiratory system.

Pastille
Mucosolvan® is available as a soft, pleasant-tasting pastille that dissolves slowly in the mouth. A convenient way to take Mucosolvan® when you are on the go, it calms the irritation in the throat and it dissolves phlegm in the bronchi. See also: Lozenge

Pertussis
Another term for whooping cough.

Phlegm
The mucus produced by the respiratory system (excluding that from the nasal passages) which is present in all healthy airways but which can build up to excessive levels during illness, becoming thicker, stickier and harder to eject. The medical term for phlegm that is expelled by coughing is sputum.

Pleura
The membrane (also called epithelium) that lines the lungs in the chest cavity. See also: Pleurisy

Pleurisy
Inflammation of the lining of the lungs. See also: Pleura Symptoms include a dry cough, pain during breathing and shortness of breath. Professional medical attention is essential.

Pneumonia
Inflammation of the lung caused by viral, bacterial or fungal infection. Symptoms include cough (which may start as a dry cough and develop into a cough with phlegm), fever, aches and chest pain. Pneumonia requires professional medical attention.

Productive cough
Cough with phlegm. It is characterized by increased secretion of sticky phlegm and impaired phlegm transport. Mucosolvan® provides proven treatment for productive coughs.

Quit
To stop smoking. Cigarette smoke is toxic and damages the lungs when it is inhaled; it is one of the most common causes of respiratory diseases. Your medical expert can give you support and information about how to quit smoking.

Respiratory system
Also called respiratory tract, this is the name for the system of organs that are involved in breathing, including the nose, nasal cavity, throat, trachea (windpipe), bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli and lungs.

Respiratory tract
Another terms for respiratory system. See also: Airways

Retard Capsules
Another term for Sustained Release Capsules.

Rhinitis
An inflammation of the mucus membranes which line the nose and nasal cavity.

Sinus
A space within the facial bones that are normally filled with air. Sinuses are lined with mucus membranes similar to those in other parts of the upper respiratory system. See also: Sinusitis

Sinusitis
Inflammation of the mucus membranes that line the sinuses.

Sputum
Phlegm that is expelled by coughing.

Suppressant
A cough suppressant is a medication that inhibits the urge to cough by acting on the part of the brain that controls cough. Suppressants should only be used for dry cough unless advised by a medical expert. Cough suppressants are also referred to as antitussives.

Surfactant
Very liquid fluid produced by cells in the lungs; surfactant lines the bronchioles and alveolia, reducing surface tension and helping to keep the delicate structures open.

Sustained Release
Mucosolvan® is available as convenient once-a-day Mucosolvan® Sustained Release Capsules that release the active ingredient in a controlled way throughout the day. See also: Retard Capsules

Symptom
Any indication of disease noticed or felt by the person suffering the illness. Infection or illness can evoke inflammatory reactions that cause symptoms. Cough can be a symptom of a number of underlying conditions, such as cold, 'flu, allergies or irritation due to toxins such as cigarette smoke.

Symptomatic treatment
Therapy that eases unpleasant symptoms without addressing the cause of the illness.

Syrup
Mucosolvan® is available as in a pleasant-tasting syrup form. Mucosolvan® dual action syrup eases the irritation in the airways and dissolves the sticky phlegm in the bronchi that causes coughs.

Tablet
Mucosolvan® is available as an easy-to-swallow tablet. Mucosolvan Tablets dissolve the sticky phlegm in the bronchi that causes coughs. They enable you to breathe freely and deeply so that you can get on with your day.

Tickling cough
Another term for dry cough.

Tonsils
A pair of small, oval-shaped organs at the back of the throat. They may become red, sore and swollen when infected, causing narrowing of the airway. Infection of the tonsils is called tonsillitis and may require professional medical treatment.

Trachea
The part of the airway extending from the voice box (the larynx) down to the lungs, where it divides to form the two main bronchi. Also called the windpipe. See also: Bronchitis / Windpipe

Tuberculosis
A highly contagious disease caused by infection by a specific bacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Symptoms include weight loss, lack of energy, fever and a bad cough that may become a cough that produces phlegm and sometimes blood. Tuberculosis requires professional medical treatment.

Underlying cause
The illness or condition that produces the symptom. Cough is a symptom of an underlying cause: a cold, flu, allergic reaction etc.

Unproductive cough
Another term for dry cough.

Uvula
The small piece of soft tissue that can be seen hanging down at the back of the throat.

Vaccine
A substance used to stimulate the body's production of antibodies in order to provide immunity against a disease. In many countries, influenza vaccines are available for people in particular danger of getting the flu.

Vasicine
A chemical found in the tropical plant, Adhatoda vasica which has been used in India for centuries to treat cough. It is a forerunner of the active ingredient in Mucosolvan®, Ambroxol.

Virus
A microscopic agent, smaller than bacteria, that infects living cells and uses the cell to keep itself alive and to reproduce. Viruses can cause respiratory diseases such as influenza and the common cold.

Viral infection
An illness causes by infection by a virus. See also: Virus

Wheezing
The abnormal sound produced during breathing when the airways are constricted by swelling or excess phlegm. A person who wheezes when breathing should seek professional medical advice.

Whistling
A harsh, high-pitched squeaking noise produced during breathing that may be a symptom of a foreign object blocking the airways or dangerous constriction. This whistling noise may be a symptom of a life-threatening respiratory emergency and emergency services should be contacted immediately.

Whooping cough
A serious and highly infectious disease that can be life-threatening, especially in children. Symptoms include explosive fits of violent coughing followed by a sudden intake of breath that has a characteristic "whoop" sound. Also known as pertussis, whooping cough can be prevented by vaccine. Professional medical advice must be urgently sought for any person with the symptoms of whooping cough, especially unvaccinated children. See also: Pertussis

Windpipe
Another term for trachea.

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We have no Terms & Definitions for this character.

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