Glossary
Atherosclerosis: This is a condition in which lipids and fats are deposited inside the arteries leading to thrombosis and other heart diseases.Coronary Artery Disease: Narrowing or blockage of one or more of the coronary arteries resulting in decreased blood supply to the heart (ischemia). Also called Ischemic Heart Disease.
Murmur: Heard through a physician's stethoscope, it is the sound of turbulent blood passing through the heart. Heart murmurs are possible indications of abnormal blood flow and may be caused by a disorder of a heart valve (structure which opens to allow blood to flow away from the heart, and closes to prevent back flow into the heart). Many murmurs are benign (of no significance).
Emphysema: Pulmonary emphysema is a disorder affecting the alveoli (tiny air sacs) of the lungs. The transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs takes place in the walls of the alveoli. In emphysema, the alveoli become abnormally inflated, damaging their walls and making it harder to breathe. People who smoke or have chronic bronchitis have an increased risk of emphysema.
Chronic bronchitis: Inflammation (swelling and reddening) of the bronchi.
Dementia: The loss of intellectual functions such as thinking, remembering, and reasoning. Dementia is not a disease itself but rather a group of symptoms that may accompany certain diseases or conditions.
Spirometry: An instrument used to measure the lung's capacity.
Biopsy: It is a procedure by which sample of affected cells or a piece of tissue is removed from the body so that it can be examined closely under a microscope. The sample can be removed through a needle, by light scraping, or other methods.
