asthma

[az-muh, as-]

noun

1. 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.

asthma

/ ˈæsmə /

noun

1. a respiratory disorder, often of allergic origin, characterized by difficulty in breathing, wheezing, and a sense of constriction in the chest

asthma

1. 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

1. 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of asthma¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Greek: “a panting,” akin to aázein “to breathe hard”; replacing Middle English asma, from Medieval Latin, from Greek ásthma

Word History and Origins

Origin of asthma¹

C14: from Greek: laborious breathing, from azein to breathe hard

Example Sentences

For years, scientific studies have shown that ultra-processed food can lead to significant health issues among children, increasing the risk of obesity and asthma.

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But it means many people with conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, respiratory illneses, asthma and severe mental illness will no longer qualify.

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Residents living next to biomass plants, like Drax’s, say the operations have worsened asthma and routinely leave a film of dust on their cars.

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It can exacerbate conditions like asthma and heart disease, and, in some causes, can damage neural connections in the brain.

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Diesel freight pollution has long hit hardest in low-income neighborhoods and communities of color near ports, warehouses and freight corridors, causing higher rates of asthma, heart disease and cancer.

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