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

/ ăz′mə /

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

She hasn’t been able to get her asthma medication or her antidepressant.

From Washington Post

Celery seeds have even been used in the treatment of skin conditions including psoriasis, and respiratory diseases including asthma and bronchitis.

From Essence.com

By some estimates, depression costs the economy more than $210 billion a year and more lost workdays and impairment than arthritis, asthma, back pain or diabetes.

From Washington Post

Cotton has a newborn baby and two older children at home, both of whom have asthma.

From Time

If allergies, asthma, and other sensitivities are your main consideration, look to an evaporator for your humidity needs.

From Popular-Science

The provocation of a severe asthma attack after a cold is a well-known and well-traveled path to serious illness.

From The Daily Beast

Asthma is one of the most common diseases among children, affecting roughly one in every eleven kids.

From The Daily Beast

(Though in keeping with the American obsession for these things May is designated as Allergy & Asthma Awareness Month).

From The Daily Beast

It can also lead to a number of other ailments, including diabetes, asthma, and even heart failure.

From The Daily Beast

But new research shows it is indeed real, and may be the cause of asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, and more.

From The Daily Beast

True bronchial asthma commonly gives a marked eosinophilia during and following the paroxysms.

From Project Gutenberg

About this time a patient applied for relief of attacks of asthma that were brought on by inhaling dust.

From Project Gutenberg

In 1871, Neftel relieved a case of hay asthma by galvanizing the vagus; but recent books know nothing of it.

From Project Gutenberg

Dr. Garrison noted also the popular belief that heaves or asthma did not exist in horses on the prairies where this plant grew.

From Project Gutenberg

Caroline was in bed with a bad go of asthma, and would Violet come to see her?

From Project Gutenberg