Word Origin & History. aphorism 1520s (especially in ref. to the Aphorisms of Hippocrates), from M.Fr. aphorisme, from L.L. aphorismus, from Gk. aphorismos definition, pithy sentence, from aphorizein to mark off, divide, from apo- from + horizein to bound..
Further information: List of causes of shortness of breath. While shortness of breath is generally caused by disorders of the cardiac or respiratory system, other systems such as neurological, musculoskeletal, endocrine, hematologic, and psychiatric may be the cause. DiagnosisPro, an online medical expert system, listed 497 distinct causes in October 2010.
There are a number of lung conditions that can cause breathing difficulty. All of these require immediate medical attention, some more immediate than others: 1  Asthma is an inflammation and narrowing of the airways that can cause shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing. 2  Pneumonia is lung inflammation that is caused by infection.