| A | B |
|---|
| allergen | A substance that causes an allergic reaction. |
| asthma | A disease of the lungs in which muscle spasm in the small air passageways and the production of large amounts of mucus with swelling of the mucus lining of the respiratory passages result in airway obstruction. |
| carbon dioxide retention | A condition characterized by a chronically high blood level of carbon dioxide in which the respiratory center no longer responds to high blood levels of carbon dioxide. |
| chronic bronchitis | Irritation of the major lung passageways, from either infectious disease or irritants such as smoke. |
| chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) | A slow process of dilation and disruption of the airways and alveoli, caused by chronic bronchial obstruction. |
| common cold | A viral infection usually associated with swollen nasal mucous membranes and the production of fluid from the sinuses and nose. |
| crackles | A crackling breath sound caused by the flow of air through liquid in the lungs; a sign of lower airway obstruction |
| croup | An infectious disease of the upper respiratory system that may cause partial airway obstruction and is characterized by a barking cough; usually seen in children. |
| diphtheria | An infectious disease in which a membrane forms, lining the pharynx; this lining can severely obstruct the passage of air into the larynx. |
| dyspnea | Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. |
| embolus | A blood clot or other substance in the circulatory system that travels to a blood vessel where it causes blockage. |
| emphysema | A disease of the lungs in which there is extreme dilation and eventual destruction of pulmonary alveoli with poor exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide; it is one form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). |
| epiglottitis | An infection of the soft tissue in the area above the vocal cords. |
| hyperventilation | Rapid or deep breathing that lowers blood carbon dioxide levels below normal. |
| hypoxia | A dangerous condition in which the body tissues and cells do not have enough oxygen. |
| hypoxic drive | A "backup system" to control respiration; senses drops in the oxygen level in the blood. |
| pleural effusion | A collection of fluid between the lung and chest wall that may compress the lung. |
| pleuritic chest pain | Sharp, stabbing pain in the chest that is worsened by a deep breath or other chest wall movement; often caused by inflammation or irritation of the pleura. |
| pneumonia | An infectious disease of the lung that damages lung tissue. |
| pneumothorax | A partial or complete accumulation of air in the pleural space. |
| pulmonary edema | A buildup of fluid in the lungs, usually as a result of congestive heart failure. |
| pulmonary embolism | A blood clot that breaks off from a large vein and travels to the blood vessels of the lung, causing obstruction of blood flow. |
| rhonchi | Coarse, low-pitched breath sounds heard in patients with chronic mucus in the upper airways. |
| severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) | Potentially life-threatening viral infection that usually starts with flu-like symptoms. |
| stridor | A harsh, high-pitched, barking inspiratory sound often heard in acute laryngeal (upper airway) obstruction. |
| wheezing | A high-pitched, whistling breath sound, characteristically heard on expiration in patients with asthma or COPD. |
