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Acronyms; Abbreviations; And A few Definitions Used In Lung Disease
When you're newly diagnosed, seeking info on the net, or listening to the medical professionals use certain terms or abbreviations, or even checking out COPD forums, some of the terms used/discussed can be confusing. The list below, though certainly not all inclusive, will help you to put a "name" to the medical abbreviations used. Beneath these you will find the meanings to a few words you will/or have, heard over time.
At the very bottom of the page several links are supplied to medical dictionaries where you can check the meanings of many more.
What Does It Stand For?
A
A1AD - Alpha1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Emphysema
ABG - Arterial Blood Gas
AO - Airway or Airflow Obstruction
ARDS - Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (or Adult)
ATRA - All-Trans Retinoic Acid
B
BiPAP - Bi Level Positive Airway Pressure
BP - Blood Pressure
BPD - Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Bx - Biopsy
C
CF- Cystic Fibrosis
CB - Chronic Bronchitis
CCS - Cortisteroids
CHF - Congestive Heart Failure
CLRD - Chronic Lung Disease
CO - Carbon Monoxide
CO2 - Carbon Dioxide
COAD - Chronic Obstructive Airway Disease
COLD - Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
COPD - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
CORD - Chronic Obstructive Respiratory Disease
CPAP - Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
CPR - Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
CT - Computerized Tomography
CXR - Chest X Ray
D
DAD - Diffuse Alveolar Damage
DLCO - Diffusing Capacity of Carbon Monoxide
DNI - Do Not Intubate
DNR - Do Not Resuscitate
DOE - Dyspnea on Exertion
DPI - Dry Powder Inhaler
Dx - Diagnosis
E
ECG or EKG - Electrocardiogram
ECHO - Echocardiogram
ERV - Expiratory Reserve Volume
ET - Endottracheal Tube
F
FEF - Forced Expiratory Flow
FEFMAX - Maximum Forced Expiratory Flow
FEV - Forced Expiratory Volume
FEV1 - Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second
FIF - Forced Inspiratory Flow
FVC - Forced Vital Capacity
G
GERD - Gastro esophagal Reflux Disease
GI - Gastrointestinal
H
HAPE - High Altitude Pulmonary Edema
HR - Heart Rate
HRCT - High Resolution CT Scan
HSP - Hypersensitivity Pneumonia
I
IC - Inspiratory Capacity
ICU - Intensive Care Unit
IMT - Inspiratory Muscle Trainer
ILD - Interstitial Lung Disease
IPF - Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
IRV - Inspiratory Reserve Volume
IVC - Inspired Vital Capacity
L
LOX - Liquid Oxygen
LPM - Litres Per Minute
LRI - Lower Respiratory Tract Infection
LVRS - Lung Volume Reduction Surgery
M
MCS - Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
MEP - Maximal Expiratory Pressure
MDI - Metered Dose Inhaler
MIP - Maximal Inspiratory Pressure
MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging
MRV - Maximal Voluntary Ventilation
N
NC - Nasal Cannula
NETT - National Emphysema Treatment Trial
NPPV - Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation
NSAID - Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drug
O
O2 - Oxygen
OLB - Open Lung Biopsy
OLD - Obstructive or Occupational Lung Disease
OSA - Obstructive Sleep Apnea
OTC - Over the Counter
P
PAP - Positive Airway Pressure
PCO2 - Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide
PDI - Powdered Dose Inhaler
PE - Pulmonary Edema or Physical Exam or Pulmonary Embolism
PEP - Positive Expiratory Pressure
PEEP - Positive End Expiratory Pressure
PEF - Peak Expiratory Flow
PEP - Positive Expiratory Pressure
PF - Pulmonary Fibrosis
PFM - Peak Flow Meter
PH - Pulmonary Hypertension
PFT - Pulmonary Function Test
pH - Measurement of Blood Alkalinity or Acidity
PI - Pulmonary Insufficiency
PLB - Pursed Lip Breathing
PaO2 - Oxygen Tension in Arterial Blood
PPH - Primary Pulmonary Hypertension
PPV - Positive Pressure Ventilation
PR - Pulmonary Rehabilitation
PSV - Pressure Support Ventilation
PTX - Pneumothorax
Q
QOL - Quality of Life
R
RAD - Reactive Airway Disease
RDS - Respiratory Distress Syndrome
RT- Respiratory Therapist (or Therapy)
RRT - Registered Respiratory Therapist
RV - Residual Volume
Rx - Prescription, Therapy or Treatment
S
SAD - Small Airways Disease
SaO2 - Arterial Blood Saturation
SATS - Refers to Oxygen Saturation
SOB - Short of Breath
SvO2 - Venus Blood Oxygen Saturation
Sx - Symptoms
T
TLC - Total Lung Capacity
TTO - Transtracheal Oxygen
TV - Tidal Volume
TX - Transplant (also XP)
U
URI - Upper Respiratory Infection
V
VC - Vital Capacity
VQ - Ventilation Perfusion Scan
WHAT IS? (in simple speak)
A
Aveloi - Tiny air sacs found at the end of the smallest airways where oxygen and carbon dioxide is exchanged.
Anti Inflammatory - A medicine or drug used to help fight inflammation
Arterial Blood Gas (ABG): A blood test that measures the level of oxygen, and carbon dioxide in the blood.
B
Bi Level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP): A small non-invasive breathing machine, using two pressure levels, inspiration and expiration, to help with breathing. It's connected to tubing and a facemask which is worn by the patient.
Body Box: (another name for Plethysmograph) - A clear, airtight chamber (resembling a telephone booth or helicopter) which you sit in and perform breathing tests (PFT's)
Bronchodilator: Medicines that are used to help relax the muscle areas of the airways thus helping to increase the flow of air.
Bronchospasm: The tightening of the areas of muscles surrounding the airways which in turn causes these same airways to become narrower. Shortness of breath and/or wheezing may ensue.
C
Carbon Dioxide: An odorless and colorless gas, naturally produced in the body's tissues, which is exchanged in the lungs with oxygen and removed.
Chronic Bronchitis - There must be a productive cough for most days over 3 months for at least 2 years in a row.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP): A machine that assists with breathing by using pressure to keep the airways open.
Cor pulmonale: When the right side of the heart is weakened and enlarges thus causing more shortness of breath and leg and foot swelling. This can happen with low oxygen levels.
D
Diaphragm and Diaphragmatic Breathing : The diaphragm is located just under the lungs and can be very effective for breathing. It uses less effort and energy than the upper body.
(DLCO): A measurement which shows how much oxygen is carried or transferred into your blood stream.
Diuretic: A type of medicine used to help increase the output of water from the body.
Dry Powdered Inhaler: A device that uses "dry powder" in an inhaler.
Dyspnea: Being short of breath
E
Edema: Swelling
Electrocardiogram (EKG aka ECG): A printout from an ECG machine that follows/charts the electrical activity of the heart.
Exacerbation: A flare up and/or worsening of a disease or condition
F
Forced Vital Capacity (FVC):
The maximum amount of air you can exhale
FEV1 - the maximum amount you can exhale in 1 second
G
GERD: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. A condition whereby the stomach "backs up" or "regurgitates" into the esophagus.
H
Hypoxemia - Low blood oxygen level
I
Idiopathic: Unknown Origin
L
Lobectomy: A procedure whereby part of the lung (a lobe) is removed
L
Lung Volume Reduction Surgery (LVRS):
A procedure whereby diseased portions of the lung is removed to make way, or provide room for, parts of the lung(s) that are still healthy.
N
Normal Saline :A solution made of salt and water
P
Pulmonary Function Test (PFT): A breathing test (more thorough than Spirometry) which shows the lungs functionability.
Pulse Ox: A device that measures your heart rate and the amount of oxygen in your blood
Pursed Lip Breathing: A method to assist in breathing and reduce shortness of breath (SOB)
R
Residual Volume: The amount of air trapped or unable to expel.
S
Sleep Apnea: A sleep disorder whereby a person's breathing stops for a short period of time. This "non breathing period" usually lasts between 10 and 20 seconds and can occur 20 - 30 in an hour.
Spirometry: A non invasive test which measures lung function.
Stenosis: Narrowing
T
Transtracheal Oxygen Therapy (TTO):
A method to deliver oxygen by a small tube which is surgically inserted into the lower neck. (Some people prefer this over the nose tube)
V
Ventilator: (also known as a respirator) A ventilator is an automatic machine which mechanically assists patients to breathe when they cannot breathe on their own.
For additional meanings and information, please visit....
Cleveland Clinic Health System Glossary of COPD Terms
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