Glossary
Use this glossary for a quick list of terms related to bronchiectasis (BE) or treatment with BRINSUPRI.
Airway clearance
[air-way] [kleer-uhns]
Various techniques that help break up mucus, prevent it from building up, and allow it to be cleared more easily from the lungs and airways.
Alopecia
[al-uh-pee-shee-uh]
Hair loss from the scalp or other parts of the body.
Areas of skin thickening
[air-ee-uhs] [uhv] [skin] [thik-uh-ning]
A condition called hyperkeratosis happens when skin becomes thick, rough, or dry, often on the hands or feet.
Bronchiectasis or non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis
[brong-kee-ek-tuh-suhs] or [non-sis-tik] [fi-bro-sis] [brong-kee-ek-tuh-suhs]
A disease in which there is permanent enlargement of parts of the airways of the lungs. Symptoms typically include chronic cough with mucus production. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing up blood, and chest pain.
Bronchiectasis flare
[brong-kee-ek-tuh-suhs] [flair]
The worsening of BE symptoms over a period of time. Your doctor may also call this an “exacerbation.”
Bronchodilator
[brong-co-dye-lay-ter]
An inhaled medication that opens the airways by relaxing the muscles around the airways.
Chronic
[kron-ik]
Continuing over a long period of time or recurring frequently.
CT scan (computed tomography)
[see-tee] [skan]/[kuhm-pyoo-ted] [tuh-mah-gruh-fee]
A procedure that uses an X-ray machine connected to a computer to capture detailed images of the body’s internal areas.
Enzyme
[en-zime]
Tiny proteins that play a role in many processes, including the body’s immune response.
FEV1
[eff-ee-vee] [one]
Forced expiratory volume in 1 second, or the measure of how much air a person can exhale in the first second of a forced breath.
High blood pressure
[hahy] [bluhd] [presh-er]
A condition where the pressure of blood moving through your arteries is too high, also known as hypertension.
Inflammation
[in-fluh-mey-shuhn]
The body’s defense mechanism when the airways in the lungs get irritated or infected in BE. It can cause pain, swelling, or redness in the airways.
Liver function tests
[liv-er] [fuhngk-shuhn] [tests]
A group of blood tests that check how well your liver is working.
Lung damage
[luhng] [dam-ij]
In BE, airways are abnormally widened and damaged, which makes it difficult to clear mucus from the airways.
Mucus
[myoo-kuhs]
A slimy mixture that is produced by glands. While mucus protects and lubricates surfaces in the body, excessive mucus production can increase the risk of infection.
Neutrophil
[new-truh-fil]
A type of immune cell that quickly responds to infections and injuries in the body.
Placebo
[pluh-see-bow]
A placebo is often used in clinical studies to test if a new drug or treatment works. It mimics the treatment being studied but doesn't contain any actual medicine.
Pulmonologist
[pul-muh-nal-uh-jist]
A medical specialist who diagnoses and treats lung diseases.
Specialist
[spesh-uh-list]
A doctor who devotes attention to a particular class of disease or patient.
Specialty pharmacy
[spesh-uhl-tee] [far-muh-see]
Specialty pharmacies are different from traditional pharmacies. They deliver medicines for diseases that tend to be more complex.
Sputum
[spyoo-tuhm]
Mucus or phlegm that is coughed up from the lungs and airways.
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