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

The Environmental Protection Agency in 2024 had strengthened limits on fine particulate matter, including soot, which can lead to health problems including strokes, heart attacks and asthma attacks.

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Previous studies have shown that communities near extraction sites and end-use facilities experience higher rates of adverse birth outcomes and asthma, and there is growing interest in potential links to other conditions, including leukemia.

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An inhalation room treated the respiratory system and asthma, and there were detoxifying baths using mud from the nearby springs.

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At this point, I had only my asthma inhaler to comfort me.

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The research may also shed light on how SerpinB3 contributes to inflammatory diseases, ranging from skin disorders to asthma.

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