Glossary Element Navigation A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A Acute Sudden. Adverse Undesirable. Airways The system of passageways which allow air to get in and out of your lungs. Allergy A disorder in which the body becomes hypersensitive to a particular substance. Antihistamine Medication to prevent symptoms of watery eyes, sneezing, coughing and itchy, runny nose. Apnoea Stopping breathing. Asbestos A mineral dust or fibre which was widely used in the building trade because of it's fibre resistant properties. Asthma A common condition of the airways of the lung causing coughing, breathlessness, wheezing and chest tightness. Atelectasis A collapse of a small portion of the lung. B Bipap A Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure breathing machine to provide breathing assistance in people with sleep apnoea or respiratory failure. Blood Gases A blood test taken from an artery (instead of a vein) used to monitor some chest conditions. Breath Sounds Sounds heard through a stethoscope air air moves in and out of the lungs. Bronchiectasis A condition which widens the airways and produces excessive mucous. Bronchioles The smaller airways in the lungs which branch off from the bronchi. Bronchitis Inflammation of the airways caused by viruses or bacteria. Bronchodilators Drugs that open up the airways. Bronchus The left and right bronchus are large airways that branch from the trachea and carry oxygen to the lungs. C Capillaries The smallest blood vessels where gas exchange takes place. Carbon Dioxide A waste gas that is breathed out. Chronic Occurring over a long period of time. Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease (COPD) A term to describe a group of diseases which include chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic asthma. Cilia Tiny hair-like structures in the airways which remove dust/debris from the lungs to help clear the airways. CPAP A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure breathing machine to keep the airways open during breathing for patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. Corticosteroids A type of medicine used to treat inflammation. Cyanosis A bluish discolouration of the skin caused by low levels of oxygen in the blood. D Diaphragm The dome shaped muscle that sits underneath the lungs and separates them from the abdomen. Dyspnoea The medical term used to describe shortness of breath or breathlessness. DVT Deep vein thrombosis - blood clots in the lower legs. E Emphysema A lung condition where large numbers of alveoli and bronchioles have been destroyed and lost their elasticity, making it difficult to breathe in and out. Exacerbation When symptoms become temporarily worse in lung conditions. Exhalation Breathing out, expiration. F G Gas exchange The exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide which takes place in the alveoli of the lungs. H Hyperventilation Fast (more than 25-30 times per minute) or deep breathing which alters the amount of carbon dioxide levels in the blood. Humidification Moisturising the air with molecules of water. Hypoventilation Slow (less than 8-10 times per minute) or shallow breathing which alters the carbon dioxide levels in the blood. Hypoxia A low level of oxygen in the blood. I Idiopathic A term meaning the cause is unknown. Immune System The body's defence system that protects against infections and foreign substances. Inhaler Medicine which is breathed in and delivered directly to the lungs to relieve or prevent symptoms. Inspiration Breathing in, inhalation. Intercostal muscles Muscles located between the ribs to allow the chest to expand and contract. Intubation Placing a tube into the windpipe (trachea) to enable artificial breathing. J K L Lungs Two organs, filled with air, in the chest which remove carbon dioxide and bring oxygen in the blood. M Mucous Sticky secretions in the airways produced by glands to trap foreign debris. N Nasal Cannula A narrow tube with two hollow prongs that fit inside the nose to deliver oxygen. Nebuliser A machine that delivers medication as a mist which is breathed into the lungs. O Occupational Lung Disease Disease caused by exposure to certain substances whilst at work. Orthopnoea Difficulty breathing and shortness of breath when lying on the back. Oxygen A gas in the air which the body needs to function. Oxygen Saturation A measurement of how much oxygen is in the blood. The oxygen level can be measured using a clip that fits onto the finger or through an arterial blood gas sample. P Peak Flow A simple test measuring how fast a person can blow air out of their lungs. Phlegm Another word for mucous. Pneumonia An infection of a localised area of the lungs. Postural Drainage Positioning oneself in postures to allow gravity to help drain mucous from the lungs. Pulmonary Hypertension High blood pressure inside the pulmonary arteries, which are the vessels carrying blood from the right side of the heart to the lungs. Pulmonary Rehabilitation A course consisting of exercise and education to help people with chronic lung conditions to become more active. Pursed Lip Breathing A method of breathing out through pursed lips, as if blowing a whistle, to improve breathing patterns. Q R Relapse The return of signs and symptoms of an illness after a period of improvement. Respiratory Failure The sudden inability of the lungs to provide normal oxygen delivery and carbon dioxide removal. S Sleep Apnoea A sleep disorder when a person's breathing stops in intervals. Spirometry A test measuring the amount of air in the lungs after a person has breathed in as much as possible. Sputum Mucous of phlegm. T U V W Wheeze A high pitched whistling sound mostly heard when breathing out. X Y Z