ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome)

• Definition: ARDS is a severe lung condition that occurs when fluid builds up in the alveoli, leading to low oxygen levels in the bloodstream. It often results from trauma, infection, or other serious conditions.

BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure)

• Definition: BiPAP is a non-invasive ventilator therapy used to help maintain airflow into the lungs by delivering different levels of air pressure during inhalation and exhalation. It is often used to treat sleep apnea and respiratory failure.

BVM (Bag-Valve Mask)

• Definition: A BVM is a handheld device used to provide positive pressure ventilation to patients who are not breathing or are breathing inadequately. It is commonly used in emergency situations

CF (Cystic Fibrosis)

• Definition: Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects the lungs and digestive system, causing thick, sticky mucus to build up, leading to respiratory and digestive problems.

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

• Definition: COPD is a chronic lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. It includes conditions such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)

• Definition: CPAP is a treatment that uses mild air pressure to keep the airways open, commonly used in patients with obstructive sleep apnea to prevent airway collapse during sleep.

CXR (Chest X-Ray)

• Definition: A CXR is a diagnostic imaging test that uses X-rays to create pictures of the chest, including the lungs, heart, and bones. It is often used to diagnose conditions like pneumonia or tuberculosis.

FESS (Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery)

• Definition: FESS is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to restore normal drainage and function to the sinuses by removing blockages, typically used to treat chronic sinusitis.

HBOT (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy)

• Definition: HBOT is a treatment that involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized room or chamber. It is used to treat conditions such as decompression sickness, serious infections, and wounds that won’t heal.

MDI (Metered-Dose Inhaler)

• Definition: An MDI is a device that delivers a specific amount of medication to the lungs in the form of a mist, commonly used to treat conditions like asthma and COPD.

OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea)

• Definition: OSA is a condition in which the muscles in the throat relax excessively during sleep, causing repeated blockages of the airway and interruptions in breathing.

PNA (Pneumonia)

• Definition: Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, which may fill with fluid or pus, causing symptoms like cough, fever, and difficulty breathing.

PFT (Pulmonary Function Test)

• Definition: A PFT is a group of tests that measure how well the lungs are working, including how much air they can hold, how quickly air can be exhaled, and how well the lungs deliver oxygen to the blood.

SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

• Definition: SIDS is the unexplained death of a healthy infant, typically during sleep. It is sometimes referred to as "crib death" and often occurs in infants under 1 year old.

TB (Tuberculosis)

• Definition: TB is a potentially serious bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs but can spread to other parts of the body. It is highly contagious and spread through airborne droplets.

URI (Upper Respiratory Infection)

• Definition: A URI is an infection that affects the upper respiratory tract, including the nose, throat, and sinuses. It is commonly known as the common cold and often caused by viruses.

VATS (Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

• Definition: VATS is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to examine and treat conditions in the chest. A small camera (thoracoscope) and surgical instruments are inserted through small incisions to access the lungs or other thoracic organs.