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what is COPD? | |
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causes & symptoms | |
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treating COPD | |
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help someone cope | |
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glossary | |
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expert Q & A | |
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acute Symptoms that begin abruptly or over a short period of time. alveoli Tiny sac-like air spaces in the lungs, where transfer of carbon dioxide from blood into the lungs and transfer of oxygen from air into the blood takes place. 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. arterial blood gas (ABG) An ABG is done from a sample drawn from one of your arteries. The blood is then analyzed by a special machine, which records the amount of carbon dioxide (waste gas) and oxygen in your blood. One use of this test is to determine whether or not you need extra oxygen. BID A medical term that refers to taking medicines twice a day. biopsy Surgical removal of a small amount of tissue for laboratory examination and diagnosis. Biopsy is most often used to differentiate between cancerous and non-cancerous tissue. bronchi Large air passages of the lungs. bronchial tube Hollow air passages that branch from the largest segment (the windpipe or trachea) into the lungs. Oxygen-containing air passes into the lungs through the bronchial tubes, and waste gases (e.g., CO2) pass out of the lungs. bronchioles Tiny air passages (too small to be seen except through a microscope) that serve the same purpose as the bronchi. bronchoscopy A surgical procedure using a bronchoscope, a tubular instrument with lenses and lights that is inserted through the throat and vocal cords and into the bronchial tubes. After administering anesthesia, a surgeon passes the bronchoscope into the trachea and the largest branching segments of the bronchi. Fluid may be removed or tissue may be biopsied and examined to detect tumors or infections. bronchodilation Increase in diameter of the bronchi and bronchioles due to relaxation of airway smooth muscle. 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 (O2). chronic The opposite of acute. Chronic means prolonged or slow to heal. chronic bronchitis Bronchitis is inflammation of the airways, which causes increased production of mucus. It is considered chronic (or long-term) when a person is coughing and producing excess mucus for most days of at least 3 months each year, 2 years in a row. cilia The tiny hair-like structures that line the airways. In healthy lungs, they propel bacteria, pollutants, and other potential troublemakers upwards so that they can be expelled. Cigarette smoking prevents the cilia from working properly. In COPD patients, they may be injured and can perform this function only poorly or, sometimes, not at all. compliance In medical language, the practice of taking one's medications and following medical direction fully and correctly. diaphragm The curved sheet of muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. When we inhale, it flattens and sinks to help draw air into the lungs. dilate To widen a circular opening, like the inside of a tube (for example, the airways in the lungs) or the pupil of the eye. dyspnea Difficult or labored breathing; shortness of breath. emphysema Emphysema is a disease that affects the air sacs and/or the smallest breathing tubes in the lungs. Simply put, the lungs lose elasticity, similar to an overused rubber band, and that causes the affected areas to become enlarged. exacerbation An increase in the severity of a disease or any of its signs and symptoms. glucose The chief source of energy for living organisms; it is also sugar. hepatic Pertaining to the liver. hypersensitivity An immediate local (e.g., skin) or systemic (whole body) allergic reaction to a particular food, drug, or chemical; may become life-threatening. mucus A thick liquid that moistens and lubricates body tissues, including those in the airways and lungs. nebulizer An atomizer device that sprays liquid medication in aerosol form into the air a patient breathes oxygen (O2) Colorless, odorless gas essential for all life processes; the most important component of air. phlegm Thick, sticky, stringy mucus produced by the respiratory tract, usually as the result of irritation, inflammation or infection of the airways. pharyngitis Inflammation of the pharynx (sore throat) productive cough A cough in which mucus or phlegm is dislodged, enabling a person to clear the lungs. pulmonary Refers to the lungs pulse oximetry This test is performed by placing a special light clip on your finger, earlobe or forehead. The pulse oximeter uses light waves to indirectly measure the amount of oxygen in your blood. Done without the use of needles, the pulse oximetry can be performed at rest, while you are walking or even overnight while you sleep. respiratory tract The entire system of organs and tissues involved in breathing; especially the lungs, trachea, bronchial tubes, bronchioles and alveoli. rhinitis Inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane spirometer A machine for measuring how well lungs breathe. sputum Mucus, phlegm or other substances coughed up from the respiratory tract. trachea The windpipe. The main passageway from your mouth and nose to your lungs. ventilation The movement of air in and out of the lungs to facilitate blood oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal. wheezing The sound made by air moving through partially obstructed airways. x-ray A method to help visualize parts of the lungs, as is done with a chest x-ray. It helps the physician to diagnose pneumonias and emphysema, as well as other lung diseases. |
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