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Pulmonary fibrosis glossary

Here are some words and abbreviations you might hear if you're affected by pulmonary fibrosis.

Common words relating to pulmonary fibrosis

A

Acute

Sudden onset of symptoms or a condition.

Airway

The passage through which air moves, from your nose or mouth through your lungs. The airway is made up of tubes that split into smaller and smaller branches. The smallest branches lead to air sacs called alveoli.

Allergen

Substance that your body’s immune system sees as harmful.

Allergy

The immune system’s response to a substance it sees as harmful.

Alveoli

Tiny sacs within the lungs at the ends of the smallest airways.

Antibiotics

Medicine given to help treat infections caused by bacteria.

Antifibrotic medication

Medicine that can reduce the rate that scar tissue forms.

Acute respiratory infection (ARI)

An infection in the lungs which lasts for less than two weeks.

Asymptomatic

Without symptoms.

Autoimmune

When your immune system responds to healthy cells and tissues in your body.

B

C

D

Biopsy

Taking a sample of tissue within the body.

Bronchi

Two tubes that link the trachea (main airway) to the lungs. One bronchi goes to the left lung and one goes to the right lung.

Bronchioles

Smaller tubes linking the bronchi to the alveoli.

Bronchoscope

A small, long and flexible camera that is passed into the mouth or nose to view the inside of the lungs and take samples.

Chronic condition

A long-term condition.

Contraindication

A reason not to use a medication or treatment.

Computed tomography (CT) scan

A type of scan that combines lots of X-rays to create a more detailed image.

Chest x-ray (CXR)

A common type of imagery used to look at the bones, lungs and other structures in the chest.

Dyspnea

Shortness of breath.

E

F

G

Exacerbation

Sudden worsening of symptoms.

Fibrosis

Scar tissue.

Familial pulmonary fibrosis (FPF)

When one or more immediate family members also have pulmonary fibrosis.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)

A condition where stomach acid leaks up the food pipe (oesophagus).

H

I

HRCT (high-resolution computed tomography)

A type of CT scan that takes more images to produce an even more detailed image.

Hypoxia

Low levels of oxygen in the body.

Idiopathic

Of unknown cause.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD)

A group of diseases that affect the interstitium of the lungs.

Inflammation

The body’s normal response to a substance, illness or injury. The response often includes swelling or redness.

Intubation

A tube is passed into the lungs via the nose or mouth. The tube attaches to a machine, a ventilator, that assists with breathing.

Interstitial

The space in the lungs between the air sacs (alveoli) and the surrounding blood vessels. This is where oxygen moves between the lungs and the blood.

M

N

O

Mucus

A sticky material produced in the lungs to help keep them healthy. Sometimes called phlegm or sputum.

Nebuliser

A device that delivers medications in a mist or spray which can be breathed in.

Oxygen concentrator

A device that takes oxygen from the air, concentrates it then delivers it to you via a tube. This gives you more oxygen than you would get by breathing normal air.

Oxygen therapy

The use of supplemental oxygen to increase the amount of oxygen in your blood. Oxygen can be delivered via different methods and devices, and should only be used as prescribed by your healthcare team.

P

Palliative care

Specialist medical care aimed at improving the quality of life for people with long-term conditions.

Pneumonia

An infection of the lungs with bacteria, viruses or fungi.

Productive cough

A cough that brings up mucus or sputum.

Progression

The worsening of a condition over time.

Pulmonary

Referring to the lungs.

Pulmonary rehabilitation

A supervised programme of exercise and education aiming to increase fitness and lung health.

Pulse oximetry

A method to measure the amount of oxygen in your blood by placing a light sensor on your finger or ear lobe.

S

T

V

Spirometry

A method to measure how well your lungs are working by breathing into a machine. Different measurements are taken including the amount of air and how fast it moves.

Sputum

A sticky material produced in the lungs to help keep them healthy. Sometimes called phlegm or mucus.

Trachea

The large tube at the top of the airway, between the voice box and bronchi.

Video-assisted thoracoscopy surgery (VATS)

Using cameras to look inside the chest and lungs and carry out procedures.

Lung function test abbreviations

Not all of these measurements may appear in your lung function test report. Some are specific to certain conditions or testing purposes and may not be necessary for every person.

ERV (expiratory reserve volume)

The maximum amount of air that you can breathe in after fully breathing out.

FRC (functional residual capacity)

The amount of air in your lungs following a normal breath out.

IC (inspiratory capacity)

The maximum amount of air that you can breathe in after a normal breath out.

IRV (inspiratory reserve volume)

The maximum amount of air that you can breathe in after a normal breath in.

RV (residual volume)

The amount of air that remains in your lungs after fully breathing out.

TLC (total lung capacity)

The total amount of air in your lungs after fully breathing in.

TV or VT (tidal volume)

The amount of air that you breathe in or out with each normal breath. This is measured when you are at rest.

VC (vital capacity)

The maximum amount of air that you can breathe out after fully breathing in.

DLCO (diffusing capacity of the lung)

The capacity of your lungs to transfer gases from inhaled into the blood.

FET (forced expiratory time)

How many seconds you can forcefully breathe out for after taking a full breath in.

FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second)

The amount of air you can forcibly breathe out in one second. This is after taking a full breath in.

FEV1/FVC ratio (the ratio of FEV1 to FVC)

This number is used to help diagnose lung disease.

FVC (forced vital capacity)

The total volume that you can forcefully breathe out after taking a full breath in.

PEF (peak expiratory flow)

How fast you can breathe out after a full breath in.

Oxygen abbreviations

HOOF

Home oxygen order form

POC

Portable concentrator

TPOC

Transportable oxygen concentrator

AOT/AMBOX

Ambulatory oxygen

LTOT

Long-term oxygen (this is usually for 16-24 hours per day)

LOX

Liquid oxygen

Navigate Pulomonary Fibrosis at your pace

Our website and resources provide general information only. We cannot provide medical advice, treatment or prescriptions, nor can we assess/decide what services or clinicians you should be referred to. Support with these matters will need to be provided by your existing healthcare professional teams.

APF is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for any loss or damage suffered by users resulting from the information published on our website or in our resources.

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