Glossary

Small alveoli at the end of the bronchi where gas exchange takes place – oxygen enters the bloodstream and carbon dioxide is exhaled.

A form of asthma that is triggered by allergens such as pollen, house dust mites or animal dander.

A chronic inflammation of the airways that leads to breathlessness, coughing and wheezing. The disease is often easily treatable.

A special lung function test that also measures lung volume and airway resistance. It is carried out in a glass measuring booth.

An inflammation of the bronchial tubes, usually caused by viruses. It is often accompanied by coughing, mucus production and occasionally fever.

The air ducts that lead from the windpipe into the lungs. They branch out further and further there and guide the air into the smallest sections of the lungs.

CPAP stands for ‘Continuous Positive Airway Pressure’ – a form of therapy for sleep apnoea. A device with slight positive pressure keeps the airways open during the night.

An examination of the airways using a thin, flexible tube (bronchoscope). It is used for clarification or treatment within the bronchial tubes.

Abbreviation for ‘chronic obstructive pulmonary disease’. It is usually caused by smoking and leads to persistent breathlessness and coughing.

An imaging procedure (computer tomography) for visualising the lungs and chest, which provides detailed information.

Technical term for shortness of breath or laboured breathing – a common symptom of many lung diseases.

Treatment with medication that reaches the lungs directly via a spray or inhalation device – e.g. for asthma or COPD.

A pulmonologist – also known as a pneumologist or specialist in pneumology – specialises in diseases of the lungs, airways and chest. They diagnose and treat asthma, COPD, pneumonia and sleep apnoea, for example.

Collective term for various examinations to measure the performance of the lungs – including spirometry, body plethysmography and diffusion measurement.

A medically supervised programme with training, education and support for people with chronic lung diseases to improve their quality of life.

A simple device for measuring the maximum expiratory flow rate – useful for asthma control at home.

The medical term for pneumonia. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi and is usually easily treatable.

Damage to the alveoli due to years of smoking. The lungs lose elasticity and breathing becomes more difficult.

A measured value that indicates how much oxygen is present in the blood. It is usually measured with a small clip on the finger.

A sleep-related breathing disorder in which breathing stops at night. Those affected often feel exhausted despite long periods of sleep.

Sleep medicine deals with sleep disorders – such as breathing interruptions at night (sleep apnoea), heavy snoring or daytime sleepiness. In pneumology, the focus is particularly on sleep-related breathing disorders, which can be treated with the help of special examinations and therapies.

A lung function test in which the volume of air and the speed of exhalation are measured. Spirometry helps in the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases such as asthma or COPD.

Bluish discolouration of lips or fingers due to a lack of oxygen in the blood. It can occur with severe shortness of breath.