Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
asthma [az-muh, as-] ExamplesWord Origin noun
- Pathology. a paroxysmal, often allergic disorder of respiration, characterized by bronchospasm, wheezing, and difficulty in expiration, often accompanied by coughing and a feeling of constriction in the chest.
Origin of asthma 1350–1400; Middle English Greek: a panting (akin to aázein to breathe hard); replacing Middle English asma Medieval Latin Greek ásthma Also called bronchial asthma. Examples from the Web for asthma Contemporary Examples of asthma
Asthma is one of the most common diseases among children, affecting roughly one in every eleven kids.
More Germs, Less Asthma? Study Shows Babies Exposed to Bacteria and Dander at Less Risk
Brandy Zadrozny
June 6, 2014
(Though in keeping with the American obsession for these things May is designated as Allergy & Asthma Awareness Month).
Blame Climate Change for Your Terrible Seasonal Allergies
Kent Sepkowitz
May 14, 2014
It can also lead to a number of other ailments, including diabetes, asthma, and even heart failure.
Research Shows Link Between NSAID Use and Gut Disease
Valerie Vande Panne
April 21, 2014
Jane* was barely 40-years-old when her asthma caused her to turn blue and stop breathing.
New Research Shows Poorly Understood “Leaky Gut Syndrome” Is Real, May Be the Cause of Several Diseases
Daniela Drake
March 27, 2014
But new research shows it is indeed real, and may be the cause of asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, and more.
New Research Shows Poorly Understood “Leaky Gut Syndrome” Is Real, May Be the Cause of Several Diseases
Daniela Drake
March 27, 2014
Historical Examples of asthma
Perhaps then my (coughing) —my—my asthma will invent some opportunity to carry me off.
Frank Wedekind
Now it was rheumatism, now the palsy, and then again the asthma.
Horatio Alger
And in other cases, asthma, dropsy, and epilepsy are caused.
Essays: Scientific, Political, & Speculative, Vol. I
Herbert Spencer
My father had asthma terribly and was advised to come to Minnesota for his health.
Various
I have gout, asthma, and seven other maladies, but am otherwise very well.
Orison Swett Marden
British Dictionary definitions for asthma asthma noun
- a respiratory disorder, often of allergic origin, characterized by difficulty in breathing, wheezing, and a sense of constriction in the chest
Word Origin for asthma C14: from Greek: laborious breathing, from azein to breathe hard Word Origin and History for asthma n.
late 14c. asma, asma, from Latin asthma, from Greek asthma “short breath, a panting,” from azein “breathe hard,” probably related to anemos “wind.” The -th- was restored in English 16c.
asthma in Medicine asthma [ăz′mə, ăs′-] n.
- Bronchial asthma.
Related formsasth•mat′ic (-măt′ĭk) adj. n. asthma in Science asthma [ăz′mə]
- A common inflammatory disease of the lungs characterized by episodic airway obstruction caused by extensive narrowing of the bronchi and bronchioles. The narrowing is caused by spasm of smooth muscle, edema of the mucosa, and the presence of mucus in the airway resulting from an immunologic reaction that can be induced by allergies, irritants, infection, stress, and other factors in a genetically predisposed individual. Common symptoms of asthma include wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.
asthma in Culture asthma [(az-muh)]
A chronic disease of the respiratory system, characterized by sudden, recurring attacks of difficult breathing, wheezing, and coughing. During an attack, the bronchial tubes go into spasms, becoming narrower and less able to move air into the lungs. Various substances to which the sufferer has an allergy, such as animal hair, dust, pollen, or certain foods, can trigger an attack.