Respiratory System Disorders

noun a viral infection of the larynx, trachea, and bronchial tubes that is common in young children and is characterized by hoarseness, a barking cough, and difficult breathing

• The pediatrician diagnosed the child with croup, a viral infection that causes swelling in the airways.
• My baby cousin has croup and it's been keeping him up all night with that barking cough.
• I heard that nasty cough, it sounds like your kid has the croup or something.
• The croup of negativity in the office was spreading like a contagious illness, affecting everyone's mood.

noun a bluish discoloration of the skin resulting from poor circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood

• Cyanosis is a medical condition characterized by a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to insufficient oxygen in the blood.
• If you notice any cyanosis in your skin, it could be a sign of low oxygen levels.
• Yo, that dude's lips were straight up cyanosis, he needs to catch some breath!
• The dark clouds looming over the city gave it a cyanosis-like appearance, signaling an impending storm.

noun an inflammation of the pleura, the lining surrounding the lungs

• The patient was diagnosed with pleurisy, an inflammation of the lining of the lungs.
• My aunt is in the hospital with pleurisy, but she's expected to make a full recovery.
• I heard that pleurisy can be a real pain in the chest.
• Dealing with that difficult colleague is like having a case of pleurisy - it's constantly irritating and hard to ignore.

noun a medical term used to describe an allergic reaction in the lungs

• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is a type of interstitial lung disease caused by an allergic reaction to inhaled particles.
• My doctor told me that my cough and shortness of breath could be due to hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
• I heard that some people call hypersensitivity pneumonitis 'bird fancier's lung' because it can be caused by exposure to bird droppings.
• Dealing with hypersensitivity pneumonitis feels like trying to breathe through a straw while being surrounded by allergens.