Glossary of Common CF Terminology
Please note this is not a complete listing. Should you have any questions, please ask your doctor.

Term	Definition
Acute Respiratory Failure	A sudden, severe condition in which a sufficient supply of oxygen does not reach the bloodstream, and carbon dioxide is not adequately removed from the blood and lungs. Requires emergency care.
Alpha-I-AntitrypsinDeficiency	An inherited condition in which the lung tissue is destroyed through an abnormality of the body's immune system. Caused by a lack of Alpha-I- Antitrypsin, a protein in the blood which controls the action of the enzyme trypsin. When Alpha-I-Antitrypsin is not present, trypsin destroys the liver as well as lung tissue.
Aminoglycoside	A group of antibiotics that are used to combat bacterial infections. Tobramycin and gentamicin are examples of these antibiotics and are often used by people with CF.
Anoxia	The absence or lack of oxygen supply in the body.
A-P Diameter	Anterior-posterior (front to back) measurement of the chest. This measurement is usually increased in children with CF. It's related to the long-term mucous obstruction of the lungs and its effects on breathing patterns.
Arrythmia	Any variation from the normal rythm of the heartbeat.
Aspirate	The mechanical suctioning of liquids or gases from the lungs. Often used to remove excess mucous from the lungs of people with CF. Also means to inhale food orother material.
Atelectasis	A collapsed portion of the lung which does not contain air. Can be caused by excessive accumulations of mucous secretions which interfere with complete inhalation.
Autosomal Recessive	A genetic trait or disorder which appears only when an individual inherits a pair of chromosomes, each containing the gene for the trait.
Barrel Chest	Enlarged rib cage caused by some lung diseases,including CF.
Bronchial Drainage	A form of physical therapy used for people with CF in which the chest is pounded from several angles and positions to help loosen mucous in the lungs.
Bronchial Lavage	A procedure in which large volumes of saline are rinsed through the lungs, followed by suction. It may be used in the treatment of CF to aspirate mucous secretions which cannot be removed through postural drainage.
Bronchiectasis	Long-term condition in which the bronchi of the lungs are stretched or dilated beyond their normal dimensions. This condition leads to abnormal breathing patterns, coughing, and coughing up mucus from the lungs.
Bronchoscopy	Internal examination of the lungs using an illuminated tube-like instrument (bronchoscope) which is inserted into thelungs through the throat, pharynx and trachea (windpipe). Allows direct examination of the interior of the bronchial tubes.
Celiac Disease	Intestinal disorder with symptoms (diarrhea, with bulky foul-smelling stools, failure to thrive, and protruding abdomen) similar to the digestive complications of CF. Celiac disease is a disorder of intestinal absorption cause by an intolerance to gluten, the protein found in wheat, barley and rye, and is apparently inherited.
Chorionic Villius Biopsy	Biopsy of a very small portion of the placenta. This is done during the early stages of pregnancy to obtain tissue for genetic diagnosis.
Cirrhosis	Fibrosis and scarring of the liver which can be caused by a number of diseases. A unique form of cirrhosis occurs in approximately one percent of individuals with CF when thick secretions block the liver's bile ducts.
Cor Pulmonale	Enlargement of the right ventricle of the heart due to resistance to the passage of blood through the lungs. Can often lead to right heart failure. This can be a major complication of chronic pulmonary diseases such as CF.
Cyanosis	Bluish coloration of the skin due to insufficient oxygen in the bloodstream. May occur in an individual with CF during acute respiratory failure.
Hemoptysis	Coughing up blood, often with sputum. Results from broken small blood vessels in the lungs.
Hemothorax	Accumulation of blood in the cavity around the lungs. This can be an advanced complication of CF.
Hypoxia	Low blood oxygen. May occur in lung diseases such as CF.
Percussor	A device which delivers short, sharp blows. In the management of CF, percussors may be used to perform chest physical therapy to help loosen mucous in the lungs.
Pilocarpine Iontophoresis	A technique that stimulates sweat by applying the chemical pilocarpine on a small area of the skin, which then recieves a small electrical current. (Recommended procedure for a sweat test)
Pneumothorax	A sudden,partial or complete collapseof the lung. Results from the rupture of lung tissue, which allows air to escape from the lung and become trapped between the lung and the chest wall.
Steatorrhea	An excessive amount of fats in the stool. In CF, this is caused by blockage of pancreatic ducts. Fats are not properly broken down and absorbed and are therefore excreted in the stool.
Viscid	Thick and sticky. Usually refers to the consistancy of mucous in a CF patient.

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