Terms to Know

A

Allergy - is a response mounted by the body's immune system against normally harmless substances, or allergens, such as pollen, food, bee stings, animal dander, or dust.

Allergic Reaction - is the body's reaction to these allergens such as pollen, food etc. in a person who is sensitive to them. Reactions range from mild to severe, and may include sneezing, a rash, or difficulty breathing.

Apnea - is a condition in which breathing stops for short periods of time

Asthma (condition/Dx) - is a disease of the branches of the lung (bronchial tubes) that carry air in and out. Asthma causes the airways to narrow, the lining of the airways to become inflamed and produce more mucus. Common symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, wheezing and chest tightness.

Asthma Action Plan - a plan written by the health care provider and the patient to help manage the patient's asthma

Atelectasis - (at-uh-LEK-tuh-sis) is failure of the lung to inflate completely. This may be caused by a blocked airway secondary to mucous, pneumonia, or shallow breathing. It is sometimes called a collapsed lung.

B

Bradycardia - is a slow heart rate.

Bronchiolitis - is inflammation of the bronchioles or small airways of the lungs. It is usually caused by a virus and mainly affects young children.

Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (condition/Dx) - is a chronic lung disease that is seen primarily in premature babies who require ventilator support and prolonged oxygen therapy when born.

Bronchoscopy (bron-KOS-ko-pee) - is a procedure in which a thin, lighted tube is inserted through the nose or mouth. This allows examination of the inside air passages that lead to the lung

C

Clubbing - is a deformity of the fingers and fingernails. It may be associated with chronic lung disease.

Cough - is a sudden noisy expulsion of air from the lungs, usually produced to keep the airways free of foreign matter.

Cyanosis - blue-colored skin caused by too little oxygen in the blood

D

Diaphragm - a muscle below the lungs used for breathing

E

Exercise Induced Asthma (condition/Dx) - asthma symptoms which include cough, wheeze, or shortness of breath triggered by exercising

G

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (condition/Dx) - is a disorder in which some of the acid that belongs in the stomach is allowed to move up into the esophagus and cause inflammation.

I

Inflammation - is a normal reaction to injury or disease, which results in swelling and redness.

L

Lung Infiltrate - is a collection of inflammatory cells or infection in part of the lung.

P

Peak Flow Meter - a portable hand held devise used to measure how well air is flowing from the lungs

Pleural Effusion - abnormal collection of fluid between the lining of the lung and the chest wall

Pneumonia (condition/Dx) - is inflammation of the lungs due to a bacterial or viral infection, or aspiration.

Pneumothorax - abnormal collection of air between the lining of the lung and the chest wall

R

Retractions - are when the chest appears to sink in just below the neck, between the ribs, or under the breastbone. This occurs when a person is having difficulties breathing.

S

Sleep Apnea (condition/Dx) - periods of pauses in breathing that occur during sleep

Spirometry (procedure) - is a diagnostic test which measures the amount of air entering and leaving the lungs.

Steroids - medication used to treat swelling and inflammation

Stridor - is a high-pitched sound heard best when a patient breaths in and is caused by narrowing of the upper airway.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (condition/Dx) - is the sudden and unexplained death of an infant.

T

Tachypnea - rapid breathing.

Thorax - the body region between the head and the abdomen

Trachea - "windpipe" the passage way of air to the lungs

W

Wheeze - is a high pitched whistling sound usually heard when an individual breathes out.