Respiratory & Sleep Disorders Flashcards
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Accelerated silicosis
an aggressive form of pneumoconiosis. It is caused by the inhalation of large amounts of respirable crystalline silica (very fine silica dust). This scars the lungs and causes progressive respiratory impairment.
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Acute silicosis
silicosis that happens after weeks or months of being around high levels of silica
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Asthma
Chronic inflammatory lung disease that leads to reversible narrowing of the airways, associated with increased airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Includes recurring episodes of breathing problems including shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness or night-time or early morning coughing
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Bronchodilator
a drug that relaxes bronchial muscle resulting in expansion of the bronchial air passages
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Bronchospasm
constriction of the air passages of the lung (as in asthma) by spasmodic contraction of the bronchial muscles
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Broncial thermoplasty
a procedure that applies directed heat to the airway walls, reducing the bulk of airway smooth muscle and thereby reducing the potential for airway constriction
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Calmodulin
a calcium-binding protein that mediates cellular metabolic processes (such as the contraction of muscle fibers) by regulating the activity of calcium-dependent enzymes
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
pulmonary disease (such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis) that is characterized by chronic typically irreversible airway obstruction resulting in a slowed rate of exhalation
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Chronic silicosis
silicosis that results from long-term exposure (more than 20 years) to low amounts of silica dust
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Dysphonia
defective use of the voice
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Extrinsic (allergic) asthma
asthma that is triggered by an allergen (such as dust mites, pet dander, pollen, or mold)
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Fibrosis
a condition marked by increase of interstitial fibrous tissue
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Forced expiration volume in one second (FEV1)
the volume of air (in liters) exhaled in the first second during forced exhalation after maximal inspiration
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Forced vital capacity (FVC)
the maximum amount of air a person can expel from the lungs after a maximum inhalation. It is equal to the sum of inspiratory reserve volume, tidal volume, and expiratory reserve volume
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Iatrogenic Cushing’s syndrome
Cushing’s syndrome that is usually related to prolonged and/or high-dose oral or parenteral steroid use
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Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)
the most effective controllers of asthma. They suppress inflammation mainly by switching off multiple activated inflammatory genes through reversing histone acetylation via the recruitment of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2)
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Intrinsic (non-allergic) asthma
asthma that has a range of non-allergenic triggers, including weather conditions, exercise, infections, and stress
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Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA)
a class of oral medication that is non-steroidal. They may also be referred to as anti-inflammatory bronchoconstriction preventors. They work by blocking a chemical reaction that can lead to inflammation in the airways
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Long-acting β2-adrenoeptor agonist (LABA)
usually prescribed for moderate-to-severe persistent asthma patients or patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They are designed to reduce the need for shorter-acting β2 agonists such as salbutamol (albuterol), as they have a duration of action of approximately 12 hours
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Mepolizumab
a humanized monoclonal antibody used for the treatment of severe eosinophilic asthma. It recognizes and blocks interleukin-5, a signalling protein of the immune system
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Nebulisation
a drug delivery device used to administer medication in the form of a mist inhaled into the lungs
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Non-T2-type asthma
asthma that commonly has an older age of onset and is often associated with obesity and neutrophilic inflammation
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Obstructive lung disease
a type of lung disease that occurs due to blockages or obstructions in the airways. Blockages damage the lungs and cause their airways to narrow. This damage leads to difficulty breathing
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Omalizumab
an immunosuppressive drug that is a recombinant monoclonal antibody selectively binding to IgE to reduce allergic reactions and that is administered by subcutaneous injection especially in the treatment of asthma and chronic hives





















