Acidemia -
abnormally high level of acid in the blood, low pH (< 7.35)
Acidosis - condition resulting from accumulation of acid in the blood and
tissues
Acute - In medical language, relatively brief in time.
Example, a cold or flu is an acute illness.
Acute Interstitial Pneumonia (AIP) - a rare
respiratory condition characterized by hyaline membrane formation
in the lungs.
Adult Respiratory Distress
Syndrome (ARDS) - respiratory failure of sudden onset
characterized by leakage of plasma into the lungs via damaged capillaries, resulting
in fluid accumulation which deprives the lungs of their ability to expand. ARDS is a
medical emergency.
Air sacs -
see Alveoli
Air trapping
- the air caught behind collapsed bronchial branches during expiration.
Airway
- a passageway for air into or out of the lungs.
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Airway Collapse
- Actual collapse or closure of branches of the bronchial tree,
caused by weakened bronchial walls secondary to disease.
All Trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA) - Vitamin A derivative
being investigated for possible tissue regeneration in patients with mild to moderate
emphysema. ATRA is known to be toxic when used systemically, but its use in treating
acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has shown promising results (see ATRA Syndrome)
Alkalemia - a blood pH above normal (> 7.45).
Alpha1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
(A1AD) - an inherited recessive disorder resulting in
low or no production of Alpha1 Antitrypsin. Lack of this protein leads to organ damage,
mainly to the liver and lung.
Alveolar Macrophage (AM) - a cell in the lungs which engulfs
bacteria and foreign material and produces enzymes to
protect the lung.
Alveoli
(pl) (singular: alveolus) - tiny air sacs at
the end of the bronchioles where oxygen crosses capillaries into the bloodstream, exchanging it
for carbon dioxide crossing from the bloodstream into the
alveoli to be exhaled.
Adults have roughly 300
million microscopic alveoli in their lungs
Antibiotic - medication that interferes with
the growth of bacteria and may stop an infection.
Anticholinergic - Short- and long-lasting class of drugs that
reduce mucus and relax airway muscles. Comprehensive list
Anti-inflammatory
- a drug used to fight inflammation
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Apnea - the
absence of spontaneous respiration
Arterial Blood Gases (ABG) - a lab test of arterial blood (usually taken from the
wrist) which measures carbon dioxide and oxygen levels as well as acid-base status.
Normal ABG values: pH 7.32 to 7.45
PO2 80 to 98 mmHg
PCO2 35 to 45 mmHg
SaO2 96 to 98%
SaO2 of 90% or above is considered adequate to
support tissues and body functions. At less than 90% tissues and organs begin to suffer
and supplemental oxygen may be prescribed.
Artery - one
of the tubular branching vessels that carry blood from the heart to the organs and parts
of the body; arteries usually carry oxygenated blood.
Asthma
- a chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by airway narrowing, bronchospasm and wheezing;
asthma is considered a reversible condition. Asthma is often called a reactive airway disease
when it's expected to be of short duration, ie 'outgrown' as a child
ages.
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Asthmatic Bronchitis
- Coexistence of wheezing and chronic bronchitis.
Atelectasis
- incomplete expansion of the lung
ATRA - See All Trans Retinoic Acid
ATRA Syndrome
- a life-threatening complication that can occur during the treatment of acute
promyelocytic leukemia (APL) by ATRA. Main clinical signs are respiratory distress, fever,
pulmonary infiltrates, weight gain, pleural effusion, renal failure, pericardial effusion,
cardiac failure and hypotension. [more info]
Bacteria - single-celled organisms which cause infections; they are usually treated with antibiotics.
Barrel chest
- the shape of the chest in some patients with COPD when air
trapping causes overinflated lungs.
Beta Agonist - Short- or long-lasting class of drugs that
relax the muscles in the airway. Comprehensive list.
BiPAP® - Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure
- a machine which administers air under pressure via a nose mask to keep airways open and
unobstructed. BiPAP® units track the patient's
breathing and lower the pressure during exhalation.
Blebs - Air-filled cysts near or on the surface of the
lung. Blebs are less than 1cm in diameter. Compare to bullae
Blebs Disease - see Spontaneous Pneumonothorax
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Blood Pressure (BP) - force
exerted by the blood on the walls of the main arteries of the body. BP measurements
are made both when the heart's ventricles are contracting (systolic pressure), and when
the ventricles are at rest (diastolic pressure). In a young adult, a healthy
pressure averages 120 systolic and 80 diastolic (recorded as 120/80).
Hypertension occurs when BP is too high; hypotension is too low a BP.
Blue
Bloater - term for the COPD patient whose symptoms include hypoxemia, secondary polycythemia,
CO2 retention, pulmonary
hypertension and cor pulmonale. Term is
rarely used anymore. (see Pink Puffer)
Body Box - see Plethysmography
(THIS ONE'S FOR THE LIVING!!)
Bone Mineral Density (BMD) - bone density is the amount of bone tissue in a
certain volume of bone. This measurement is taken using a special x-ray called quantitative computed tomogram
Bradypnea - decreased breathing rate, usually under ten breaths per minute.
Bradypnea is often caused by the administration of narcotic analgesics such as
morphine.
Bronchi
(pl) (singular: bronchus) - branches of the bronchial tree
Bronchial tree
- term used to describe the ductwork of the respiratory system which branch like a tree,
the terminal 'branches' leading to the alveoli.
Bronchiectasis
- a chronic inflammatory or degenerative condition of
bronchi or bronchioles
marked by dilation and loss of elasticity of the walls.
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Bronchioles
- tiniest branches of the bronchial tree, they lead into the alveoli
Bronchiolitis Obliterans (BO) - an obstructive process involving small airways in the lung periphery. It may occur following a bout
of pneumonia or lung transplantation.
Bronchiolitis Obliterans Organizing
Pneumonia (BOOP) -
obstructive condition characterized by granulation tissue plugs within the small airways. This abnormal tissue extends into alveolar ducts and alveoli. ["What's BOOP?"]
Bronchitis - acute or chronic
inflammation of the bronchial airways or any part of them.
Acute Bronchitis
- inflammation of cells lining the bronchi causes production of yellow or gray mucus which clogs airways resulting in shortness of breath, wheezing and pain in upper chest, especially when coughing.
Chronic Bronchitis
- to be considered chronic, there must be a productive cough on most days for at least three months of
the year, for at least two consecutive years.
Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) - during bronchoscopy,
a small amount of saline is injected into the distal (far) portions of the lung, then
aspirated back through the bronchoscope, washing out the alveoli.
The material recovered is then analyzed for cell count, differential or foreign bodies.
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Bronchodilator
- a drug that relaxes the smooth muscles in the constricted airway.
Bronchoscopy
- a procedure where a lighted bronchoscope is inserted through the nose or throat to allow
visual examination of the trachea, bronchi and select bronchioles.
Broncopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) - abnormal development of the lung that results from oxygen toxicity in premature infants who receive prolonged respiratory
assistance for hyaline membrane disease. Also called Chronic Lung
Disease (CLD).
Bronchospasm
- constriction of air passages of the lung by spasmodic contraction of the bronchial
muscles, obstructing the flow of air.
Bullae
(pl) (singular: bulla) - large air spaces
within the lung, >1-2 cm in diameter, formed by ruptured alveoli. Compare to blebs.
Bullous Disease
- See Vanishing Lung - also known as type 1 bullous
disease and primary bullous disease of the lung
Carbon
Dioxide (CO2) - a colorless, odorless, nonflammable gas
produced in respiration, and given off by the tissues to the
blood, to be exhaled by the lungs in exchange for oxygen.
Cardiopulmonary (C/P) - pertaining to both heart and lungs
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Chest X-Ray (CXR) - images of the chest cavity can be used to assess lung disease.
Dense structures of the body, like bone, will appear white; air will be indicated by areas
in black ('air' is a void which can't be photographed). All other structures will
appear as shades of gray.
Chronic - refers to
a disease or disorder that shows little change in symptoms from
day to day, but implies a continuing disease process with progressive deterioration.
Chronic Lung Disease (CLD) - a general term for long-term respiratory problems in premature babies. It is also known as bronchopulmonary dysplasia
(see BPD).
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease (COPD) - a disease state characterized by reduced maximal expiratory flow and slow forced emptying of the lungs. This airflow limitation is only minimally reversible with
bronchodilators. The two diseases covered by the 'umbrella term' COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Cilia
(pl) - tiny hairlike cells that line the airways and beat constantly toward the
pharynx to assist in removal of mucus and dust particles.
Compliance (Patient compliance)
- in medical language, the practice of following medical direction fully and correctly.
Computerized Axial Tomography
Scan (CAT or CT) - An x-ray procedure that uses a
computer to produce a series of three dimensional images of the body and it's organs.
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) - failure of the heart to
maintain adequate blood circulation
Conserver -
see Oxygen Conserver
Continuous Positive Airway
Pressure (CPAP) - a machine which administers a
continuous flow of air under pressure via a nose mask to keep airways
open and unobstructed.
Cor
Pulmonale - enlargement of the right ventricle resulting from pulmonary hypertension secondary to lung disorders
Corticosteroid
- natural or synthetic hormones like those produced by the body's adrenal glands which are
used to reduce swelling and inflammation
CPAP Titration (Test) - see Oximetry
Cyanosis -
dusky bluish or purplish tinge to the skin caused by insufficient blood oxygen
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Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
- a disease of the mucus and sweat glands which causes
disorders of the lungs and pancreas.
CF is the leading cause of chronic lung
disease in children and young adults, and the most common fatal hereditary disorder
affecting Caucasians in the US.
Demand Positive Airway Pressure (DPAP) - This machine monitors
breathing. If spontaneous respiration doesn't occur within eight seconds,
DPAP
will provide the patient a 'breath' at whatever pressure flow necessary to move air into
the lungs. Indications for DPAP usage is intolerable use of CPAP.
Desquamative Interstitial Pneumonia (DIP)
- More than 90% of the individuals who have DIP are smokers or former
smokers, yet this interstitial condition has a 50% cure rate. The survival rate is 90% at 5 years and 70% at 10 years
[read more]
Diaphragm
- a dome shaped muscle above the abdomen and below the lungs. When it contracts it creates
negative pressure within the chest allowing air to be drawn into the lungs.
Diffusion
- movement of oxygen or carbon dioxide
across the membrane of the alveoli
Dyspnea
- difficult or labored breathing; air hunger
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Echocardiogram (ECHO) - a picture of the heart produced on a television
screen by 'echoes' of ultrasound
Edema -an
abnormal accumulation of fluid in connective tissue causing puffy swelling
Elastic recoil
- ability of the lung to 'snap back' at the end of inspiration.
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) - a record
of the electrical activity of the heart; it records electical impulses preceding
contraction of the heart muscle.
Embolism - the sudden blocking of an artery by an embolus
carried to the site by the blood flow.
Embolus - clot, or foreign material (such as a fat
globule)
Emphysema
- a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease characterized by dilation and destruction of alveoli leading to large air spaces, decreased elastic recoil and air trapping.
Emphysema is one of two conditions which present as a
singular disease called COPD; the other is chronic bronchitis.
Endotracheal Tube (ET) - a tube which by which a patient is connected to a
respirator, it's inserted through the patient's mouth or nose, passes through the throat
(and vocal cords), and into the air passages. The patient will be unable to speak while
the tube is in place.
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End-stage
Emphysema - End-stage refers to the patient for whom the damage to
their lungs has reached a stage where symptoms severely affect their quality of life and
may have begun to affect other organs, such as the heart. Drugs, progressive exercise
programs, oxygen, lung reduction surgery, and ultimately lung transplants are considered
in a step-wise fashion to maximize the oxygen delivery from what lung tissue
remains.
End-stage Organ Disease
- a disease that ultimately leads to functional organ failure. Examples: emphysema (lungs), cardiomyopathy (heart), and polycystic
kidney disease (kidneys).
Etiology
- the cause or origin of a disease or disorder.
Eupnea -
normal respiration; implies normal tidal volume, with
respiratory rate (adults) about 14-18
Exacerbation
- a temporary period when a disease or medical condition worsens.
For patients with lung disease, this may cause an increase in mucus
production or shortness of breath, for example.
Expiration
- breathing out; exhaling
Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV) - maximal amount of air that can be expired starting
at Functional Residual Capacity (FRC).
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Extracorporeal Membrane
Oxygenator (ECMO) - a device that acts as an artificial
lung, oxygenating the blood that passes through it from the patient's blood vessels.
Exudate
- the material composed of serum, fibrin and white blood cells in variable amounts that
escapes from blood vessls into a superficial lesion
Familial - a condition that occurs in family members more
often than expected by chance alone.
Fibrosis
- a condition marked by relative increase in formation of interstitial
fibrous tissue in any organ or region of the body. Fibrosis is often
called scar tissue.
Flutter® -
Brand name of a mucus clearing device
Forced Expiratory Flow (FEF) - a flow rate measurement of how much air can be
expired from the lungs
Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV1) - the amount of air expelled the first second
following maximal inspiration during the test for vital
capacity
Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) - the maximum volume of
air that can be expired forcefully after a maximal
inspiration.
Functional Residual Capacity
(FRC) - lung volume at the end of normal expiration.
At FRC, the tendency of the lungs to
collapse is exactly balanced by the tendency of the chest wall to expand.
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Gastroesophageal Reflux
Disease (GERD) - flow of stomach contents back up into
the espohagus.
Gunk - slang
term for mucus.
Heart Rate (HR)-
pulse; number of times the heart beats in one minute
Hypercapnia - abnormally high carbon dioxide
level in the blood, pCO2>45 mmHg
Symptoms:
» increased respiratory rate
» headache
» confusion
» nausea and/or vomiting
» lethargy
Hypertension
- abnormally high blood pressure
Hyperventilate
- to breathe abnormally fast and deep, resulting in excessive amounts of oxygen
in the lungs and reduced carbon dioxide levels in the blood.
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Hypocapnia - abnormally low blood levels of carbon dioxide.
Hypotension -
abnormally low blood pressure
Symptoms:
» lightheadedness
» fainting
» weak pulse
» sweats
» loss of circulation in the limbs
Hypoxemia
- deficient oxygenation of the blood (PaO2 <55 mmHg or Sa02 <85%)
Symptoms:
» tachycardia is primary response
» anxiety
» agitation / mood changes
» forgetfulness
» inability to concentrate
» altered levels of consciousness
» pallor - skin may feel cool and clammy
» cyanosis is a late sign of hypoxemia
Hypoxia -
deficiency of oxygen reaching tissues of the body
Idiopathic
- of no known apparent cause
or origin
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)-
a specific form of chronic fibrosing interstitial pneumonia of unknown
origin, associated with the histologic appearance of Usual Interstitial Pneumonia (UIP) on surgical
biopsy. IPF is synonymous with Cryptogenic Fibrosing Alveolitis (CFA), a term used in European countries
[learn more]
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Immotile Cilia Syndrome (ICS) - Immotile Cilia Syndrome
occurs when cilia in the body are unable to move. See PCD for
more.
Immune
System - a complex network of specialized cells and organs that protects
the body against attack by "foreign invaders." When functioning properly it
produces antibodies to fight off infections from bacteria,
virus, fungi and other parasites.
Inflammation
- redness, warmth and swelling in tissue following infection or injury; the immune system's protective reaction to an irritant. Chronic
inflammation usually involves formation of new connective tissue. In COPD it can lead to airway obstruction; with ILD this
can cause a reduction in lung capacity.
Inhaler - the
dispenser for metered-dose, and dry powder medications. See Suggested
Sequence for Use of
Multipe Inhalers
Inspiration - breathing in
Inspiratory Capacity (IC) - the maximal volume that can be inspired after a normal
(non forced) expiration
Inspiratory Muscle Trainer (IMT) - a small device used to
exercise and strengthen respiratory muscle endurance
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Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV) - additional volume that can be inspired with maximum
effort after a normal inspiration.
Inspiratory Vital Capacity (IVC) - The volume change of the lung between a maximal expiration to residual volume and a full inspiration to total lung capacity.
Interstitial
- refers to tissue between alveoli of the lungs (called interstitium).
Outside the vascular system interstitial
refers to the space in the tissues between cells
Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) - term which includes more than
200 lung disorders
characterized by fibrosing (scarring) in the lungs. A common link between various types of
ILD is they all begin with an inflammation of known or unknown origin.
- Inflammation involving the bronchioles
is called bronchiolitis
- Inflammation involving the alveoli (air sacs) is called alveolitis
When the cause of ILD is unknown, it's called
"idiopathic" See pulmonary fibrosis
for a partial list of terms which refer to interstitial lung disease
Interstitial Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) - the
result of many types of severe or sustained lung inflammation. See
pulmonary fibrosis.
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Kartagener's Syndrome (KS) - a condition where the heart is located on the right side of the
body in patients with Immotile Cilia Syndrome
LAM - See Lymphangioleiomyomatosis
Lung - one of a pair of breathing organs located within the chest which
remove carbon dioxide from and bring oxygen to
the blood.
Lung Transplant (TX or XP)
- surgery to replace one or both diseased lungs with healthy ones from a human donor.
[transplant
links]
Lung Volume Reduction Surgery
(LVRS) - Reduction Pneumoplasty is 
performed on
patients with emphysema. Varied surgical procedures
allow the compressed lung to expand, thus establishing improved respiratory
function. LVRS is also referred to as lung shaving, lung contouring, thoracoscopic
bullectomy or simply lung reduction.
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) - rare lung disease
that primarily affects women only. Abnormal muscle cells invade the lung and airways, as well
as blood and lymph vessels, causing obstruction. [LAM Foundation]
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Lymphocytic Interstitial
Pneumonia (LIP) - is a syndrome of fever, cough and dyspnea, with bibasilar pulmonary infiltrates consisting of dense interstitial accumulations of lymphocytes and plasma cells
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - a
diagnostic technique which uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce
cross-sectional images of soft tissue without X-rays or
other radiation.
Maintenance
- continuing on a long-term basis, as in "maintenance therapy" or "rehab
maintenance"
Metabolic Equivalent (MET) - the amount of oxygen required
while sitting very quietly at rest (approximately 3.5 milliliters of oxygen per kilogram
of body weight).
Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) - device which dispenses a specific amount of
medication in aerosol or powdered form
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Mucus
- slippery secretions that serve to moisten and protect the mucous membranes by special
cells within the bronchial tree, usually as a result of
irritation, inflammation or infection of the airways. (synonymous with phlegm)
Nasal Cannula (NC) - a
rubber or vinyl tube which extends around the user's face with curved prongs that fit into
the nostrils for delivery of oxygen at low flow rates. Also
referred to as "nose hose" (slang)
Nebulizer
- an atomizer device that sprays liquid medication in aerosol form into the air a patient
breathes
Nonspecific Interstitial Pneumonia (NIP / NSIP) -
characterized by infiltrate and three patterns of fibrosis: 1) little or none, 2) moderate,
or 3) dense fibrosis. The majority of patients will show a favorable response to corticosteroid therapy for the first and second pattern.
Nose Hose
- aka Nasal Cannula (NC)
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Nuclear Scan
(also called Ventilation Perfusion (VQ) Scan) - test using small amounts of radioactive material to
compare left and right lung functions (blood flow and gas exchange)
Obstructive Sleep
Apnea (OSA) - a common
respiratory sleep disorder characterized by snoring and episodes of breathing cessation
that causes blood oxygen levels to fall below acceptable levels.
Open Lung Biopsy (OLB)
- a small piece of lung tissue is obtained for examination by surgical incision of the
chest wall (thoracotomy) performed under general anesthesia by a Thoracic Surgeon.
Organic Dust
Toxic Syndrome (ODTS) - a febrile (feverish) illness occurring
after heavy organic dust exposure; symptoms resemble those of acute farmer's lung.
Osteoporosis
- weakening of bones by decrease in bone mass and mineral density, and enlargement of bone
spaces producing fragility; caused by disturbances of nutrition and mineral
metabolism.
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Oximeter - a noninvasive device for measuring continuously the estimated
degree of oxygen saturation of the circulating blood. The oximeter
clips to a finger, toe, nose or ear lobe and is painless to use.
Oximetry
- noninvasive measurement of the estimated level of arterial
oxygenation in circulating blood; report usually includes baseline functional O2
saturation and heart rate, as well as lowest functional O2 saturation and heart rate
during monitored activity (ie exercise, oxygen therapy)
Oxygen
(O2) - colorless, odorless
gas essential for all life processes; the most important component of air. See Hypoxemia for symptoms of insufficient oxygenation
Oxygen Conserver - device
designed to maintain adequate oxygenation with a reduction in flow rate.
Oxygen debt -
cumulative deficiency of oxygen that develops in the body
during periods of intense activity and must be made good when the body activity returns to
a normal level. In patients with severe pulmonary insufficiency, climbing
even a step or
two can be 'intense activity'
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Oxygen Therapy
- use of supplemental oxygen to assure the body receives an amount suffcient to
provide for its needs. (SaO2 of 90 or greater)
Oxygen Titration Test
- see Oximetry
Pack Years - a measure of cigarette smoking over someone's lifetime,
figured as the number of packs per day times the number of years a person has
smoked. Ten pack-years could refer to a smoking history of two packs a day for five years,
one pack/day for 10 years, or half a pack a day for 20 years. One "pack
year" means 7300 cigarettes, or 1460 cigars, or 7.3kg of pipe tobacco.
Palliative
- a therapy that relieves symptoms, such as pain, but does not alter the course of
disease. Its primary purpose is to improve the quality of life (QOL).
Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) - the fastest speed a
person can expel air from the lungs after taking in as big a breath as possible
Peak Flow Meter (PFM) - small device used to measure a person's peak
expiratory flow rate.
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Perfusion
- passage of blood through the lungs
Perfusion Scan
- test to determine the status of blood flow to an organ.
Phlegm
- thick, gluey, stringy mucus secreted in the respiratory passages usually as a result of
inflammation, irritation or infection of the airways, and discharged through the
mouth. (synonymous with mucus, this word is no
longer widely used)
Pink
Puffer - term describing the COPD or
emphysematic patient whose symptoms are breathlessness, hyperinflation, mild hypoxemia and a low PCO2. Compare with Blue Bloater. Term is rarely used
anymore.
Pleura
- either of a pair of two-walled sacs of serous membrane that covers and protect the lung.
Pleural Cavity
- the space between the two layers of pleura; the chest cavity
Pleural Space
- the fluid-filled "space" between the two pleural walls (visceral and parietal
pleura).
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Pleurisy - inflammation of the pleura
with or without diffusion of an exudate into the pleural cavity
Plethysmography
or Body Box - an airtight chamber with clear doors where one sits to have
lung volumes measured. Breathing is accomplished through a mouthpiece.
Pneumothorax (PTX)-
presence of air in the pleural cavity, caused by by rupture of the plural membrane or by
trauma through the chest wall; often referred to as a collapsed lung.
see Spontaneous Pneumothorax
Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis - a lung disease caused by the inhalation of very
fine silicate or quartz dust and occurring especially in miners. (45 letters with no acronym of it's own!!! )
Polycythemia - Too
many red blood cells. The condition exists when the
hemoglobin, red blood cell (RBC) count, and total RBC volume are all above normal.
Positive Airway
Pressure (PAP) - these units are used to mobilize secretions and treat conditions such as
atelectasis, or to keep airways open and unobstructed in patients with sleep apnea.
They include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP),
positive expiratory pressure (PEP), expiratory positive airway pressure
(EPAP). and
bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP)
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Positive End
Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) - a method of mechanical ventilation in which pressure is maintained to increase
the volume of gas remaining in the lung at the end of expiration, thus keeping alveoli open and improving gas exchange.
Positive
Pressure Ventilation (PPV) - process of forcing gases
down a patient's trachea using either a manual control technique or using an automatic
ventilator. PPV can be done using a manual resuscitator or the rebreathing bag on
the anesthesia machine; for long term use an automatic ventilator
is usually prescribed.
Post Nasal
Discharge (PND) - the sensation of mucus accumulation in
the throat or a feeling that mucus is dripping downward from the back of the nose into the
throat. Also called Post Nasal Drip.
Primary Ciliary
Dyskinesia (PCD) - condition
where cilia in the body fail to beat effectively causing mucus to become trapped in
various parts of the respiratory system.
PCD,
Immotile Cilia Syndrome (ICS) and
Kartagener's Syndrome (KS) refer to the same
condition, with the exception that in KS the heart is located on the right side of the
body.
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Primary
Immunodeficiency (PIDS) -
Primary immune deficiency diseases are inherited disorders in which part of the body's
immune system is missing or fails to function properly. Often presenting as 'common'
infections or conditions (such as asthma or sinusitus), PIDs can go undetected for
many years resulting in permanent damage to organs, or death. [Jeffrey Modell Foundation]
Ten warning signs of PIDS —
» Eight or more new ear infections within one year
» Two or more serious sinus infections within one year.
» Two or more months on antibiotics with little effect.
» Two or more pneumonias within one year.
» Failure of an infant to thrive (gain weight or normal growth).
» Recurrent deep skin or organ abscesses.
» Persistent thrush in mouth or elsewhere on skin, after age one.
- Need for intravenous antibiotics to clear infections.
- Two or more deep-seated infections such as
osteomyelitis,
cellulitis, or sepsis.
» A family history of primary immune deficiency.
Primary
Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) - see Pulmonary
Hypertension
Productive Cough - a cough in which mucus
is dislodged,
enabling a person to clear the lungs.
Puffers
- slang term for aerosol metered dose inhalers
Pulmonary
- pertaining to the lungs
Pulmonary
Alveolar Proteinosis (PAP) -a rare condition
characterized by a disturbance in surfactant turnover which causes the alveoli to fill
with eosinophilic, proteinaceous material closely resembling surfactant. Treatment
consists of bronchoalveolar lavages.
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Pulmonary Artery (PA) - blood vessel that delivers oxygen-poor blood from the
right ventricle to the lungs
Pulmonary Edema (PE)
- condition (usually acute, but sometimes chronic) that occurs when too much fluid
accumulates in the lungs, blocking transport of oxygen into the
blood.
Pulmonary Embolism
(PE) - the closure or narrowing of the pulmonary
artery, or one of its branches, by an embolus.
Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) - condition characterized by deposition of scar tissue in the lung.
Other terms that refer to pulmonary fibrosis, or conditions that
cause it:
Chronic diffuse fibrosing
Chronic diffuse sclerosing of the lung
Chronic interstitial pneumonia
Cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis
Diffuse idiopathic interstitial fibrosis
Diffuse idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Diffuse infiltrative pulmonary disease
Desquamative interstitial pneumonitis
Fibrosing alveolitis
Honeycomb lung
Honey lung
Idiopathic fibrosing alveolitis
Idiopathic interstitial fibrosis of lung syndrome
Shrinking Lung
Stiff Lung
Usual interstitial pneumonitis
Velcro lung
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Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT) - set of tests
(spirometry, ABG, DLCO) to evaluate the mechanical properties
of the lung by studying lung volumes and capacities. Related
terms: TLC, RV, VT,
FRC, VC, FEF, FVC,
FEV1)
Pulmonary (Arterial) Hypertension (PH
or PAH) - occurs when blood
pressure in the pulmonary artery is too high. Increased
pressure within the lung causes the right ventricle of the heart to become enlarged and
may result in shortness of breath, syncope (fainting), dizzy spells and heart failure. [PH Assn] [PPH Cure Foundation]
PPH or PPAH, or primary
pulmonary hypertension, exists when its cause is unknown. This
condition is extremely rare.
PH, pulmonary
hypertension, occurs as a result of other medical conditions, including COPD. PH is sometimes referred to as SPH (secondary PH)
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Pulmonary
Insufficiency (PI) - Chronic impairment of gas exchange
due to clinically documented pulmonary disease .
Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) - a personalized program which incorporates therapy, support and education in
attempting to assist the patient achieve the maximum obtainable functional capacity
allowed by his handicap.
Pursed Lip Breathing (PLB) - technique used to slow
breathing to maintain even lung pressure and control shortness of breath
Quality of Life (QOL) - the
physical, social and emotional aspects of a patient's well-being that are relevant and important to the
individual.
Rating of
Perceived Exertion (RPE) - a self-assessment scale to
rate breathlessness and fatigue during exercise.
Reactive Airway
Disease (RAD) - condition caused by reaction to a
trigger (i.e. allergen, odor or hypersensitivity). Asthma and Hypersensitivity
Pneumonitis are
examples of RAD.
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Rescue
Medication - short-acting medication designed to relieve symptoms quickly
Residual Volume
(RV) - amount of air left behind after a maximum
expiratory effort; lowest voluntary volume obtainable
Respiration
- Respiration has two meanings in physiology. Along with breathing, respiration includes
all chemical processes that occur in the body converting oxygen
and food to water, energy and carbon dioxide.
Respiratory Distress
Syndrome (RDS) - breathing
complications experienced by newborns when immature lungs lack enough surfactant to keep
air spaces open. Also called hyaline membrane disease.
Respiratory
System - entire system of organs and tissues involved in breathing; these
include the nose, throat, larynx, trachea, bronchi and lungs
