Glossary
Amikacin
[am-i-key-sin]
An antibiotic used in the treatment of infections, and a main active ingredient in ARIKAYCE
Asthma
[az-muh]
An uncontrollable, often allergic breathing disorder that causes muscles in the airways of your lungs to tighten. This results in wheezing, coughing, and tightness in the chest
Bacteria
[bak-teer-ee-uh]
Organisms that live everywhere and are made up of different species
Bronchiectasis
[brong-kee-ek-tuh-sis]
A disease in which the lungs are damaged due to inflammation of the bronchial walls, which can create excessive coughing and mucus. The thick mucus further damages the lung cells. This triggers an immune response, which releases toxic inflammatory chemicals and can lead to further complications
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
[kron-ik] [uh b-struhkt-iv] [puhl-muh-ner-ee] [dih-zeez]
A lung disease that leads to poor breathing. COPD is a term that is used to include chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or a combination of both
Liposome
[lip-uh-sohm]
A microscopic sphere surrounding a watery core that can contain a drug
Macrophage
[mak-ruh-feyj]
A type of immune cell
Multidrug regimen
[muhl-tee-druhg] [rej-uh-muhn]
A group of more than one antibiotic used to treat a condition
Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC)
[mahy-koh-bak-teer-ee-uh m] [ey-vee-uh m] [kom-pleks]
The most common species of NTM
Nebulizer
[neb-yuh-lahyz-er]
A machine that changes medication from a liquid to a mist so that it can be inhaled into the lungs
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM)
[nohn-too-bur-kyuh-luh s] [mahy-koh-bak-teer-ee-uh]
A type of bacteria that is common in the environment
Particle
[pahr-ti-kuhl]
A tiny or very small bit
Specialty pharmacy
[spesh-uh l-tee] [fahr-muh-see]
A pharmacy where drugs that are not available at typical pharmacies are sold