asthma

[ az-muh, as- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

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.

asthma

/ ˈæ��ə /

noun

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

asthma

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

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.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of asthma¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Greek: “a panting,” akin to ��á��𾱲� “to breathe hard”; replacing Middle English asma, from Medieval Latin, from Greek á��ٳ󳾲�

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Word History and Origins

Origin of asthma¹

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

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

High-ventilation breathing is not recommended for people with epilepsy, lung diseases or asthma that limit breathing, high blood pressure or cardiovascular problems, and schizophrenia or a history of psychosis.

From

“I fear that my asthma is not being adequately treated and it will not be adequately treated while I remain in ICE custody,” Öztürk said.

From

But even short-term exposure to PM 2.5 can lead to adverse health outcomes such as higher rates of infant mortality, increased cardiovascular issues and childhood asthma.

From

The Welsh government said children's exposure to smoke had reduced and fewer people were being admitted to hospital for heart attacks and childhood asthma.

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Firefighters already face higher levels of some illnesses, such as autoimmune diseases, asthma and some cancers, she said.

From

asthenosphere asthmatic

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