Glossary

A

Acute exacerbation

An event characterised by sudden, severe worsening of symptoms or an increase in disease severity¹

Alveoli

Tiny air sacs in the lungs where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from the blood takes place

Antifibrotic

A type of medication that aims to slow the scarring and stiffening of lungs to slow disease progression²

Arterial blood gas test

A test that shows how well the lungs are working by measuring how much oxygen and carbon dioxide are in the blood. This test requires that a small volume of blood be drawn from the patient³

B

Breathing exercises

Techniques that involve breathing in a certain way to control breathlessness and strengthen your lungs

Bronchoalveolar lavage

A procedure in which a bronchoscope (a medical instrument like a tube) is passed through the mouth or nose into the lung and fluid is squirted into a small part of the lung and then collected for examination⁴

C

Cardiovascular

Refers to the heart and blood vessels

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

A type of chronic disease that typically worsens over time and is characterised by long-term breathing problems and poor airflow. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are older terms used for COPD⁵

Clinical trials

A medical study that investigates how safe and effective a new therapy or technique is for treating a certain disease

Co-existing conditions

A disease or condition that occurs at the same time as another disease or condition

Complementary therapy

Therapies used alongside conventional treatments that help treat symptoms and may improve overall physical and
mental well-being

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device

A device to deliver compressed air to improve sleep in people with obstructive sleep apnoea⁶

Coronary artery/heart disease

A disease where a waxy substance (plaque) builds up inside the coronary arteries, which supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle⁷

E

Emphysema

A lung condition where the air sacs within the lungs (alveoli) become damaged⁸

F

Fatigue

Extreme weariness resulting from exertion or illness

Fibrosis

Where inflamed tissue is replaced with scar tissue, making it thicken and become stiffer^9,10

Finger clubbing

A symptom where the ends of the fingers become wider and rounder¹¹

G

Gastroenterologist

A physician specialising in the management of diseases of the digestive system

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD/GORD)

A digestive disease where stomach acid moves up out of the stomach and irritates the lining of the food pipe (oesophagus)¹²

H

Heartburn

A burning sensation in the chest, which can spread to the throat, along with a sour taste in the mouth

High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan 

A test that uses a type of X-ray that produces multiple, detailed images of areas inside the body¹³

Hyperventilation

Rapid and uncontrolled breathing

I

Idiopathic

Of unknown cause

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

A disease where there is progressive scarring or thickening of the lungs without a known cause¹⁴

L

Lung biopsy

The surgical removal of cells or tissue samples from the lung for examination by a pathologist¹⁵

Lung scarring

The lung tissue becomes thickened and stiff

Lung transplantation

An operation to replace a patient’s diseased lungs with lungs from a donor

M

Mindfulness

A technique that helps to reduce stress and anxiety by helping to understand and manage your emotions

Music therapy

Listening to and playing music as a therapy which aims to ease the symptoms of those living with IPF

N

Nasal cannula

A small plastic tube or prongs that fit in the nostrils to deliver supplementary oxygen¹⁶

O

Obstructive sleep apnoea

A sleep disorder characterised by breathing that repeatedly stops and starts during sleep¹⁷

Occupational therapist

A specialist who helps someone recover or live with their symptoms more easily

Oxygen concentrator

A machine that removes other gases from the air to provide oxygen for oxygen therapy¹⁶

Oxygen therapy

Administration of oxygen as a medical intervention¹⁶

P

Palliative care

Therapy that provides relief from symptoms to help patients live more comfortably with their disease¹⁸

Power of attorney

A formal documentation when someone else is given the responsibility to manage your affairs and make certain decisions on your behalf

Progression

The worsening of a disease/condition over time

Pulmonary function test

A group of tests used to check how well the lungs take in and release air and how well they supply oxygen to the rest of the body¹⁹

Pulmonary hypertension

A type of high blood pressure that affects the blood vessels to the lungs and the right side of the heart²⁰

Pulmonary rehabilitation

An education and exercise program designed to improve the quality of life for people with lung conditions²¹

Pulmonologist

A physician specialising in lung problems (also known as a respirologist)

Pulse oximetry

A test used to monitor oxygen levels in a patient’s blood, usually with a non-invasive sensor¹⁶

Pursed-lip breathing

A breathing technique to help control breathlessness and reduce anxiety²²

R

Rare disease

A disease that affects only a small percentage of the population

Risk factor

Something that is associated with an increased risk of disease or infection

V

Vaccine

A product that gives protection against a specific infection