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..
All of these factors -- bronchospasm, inflammation, and mucus production -- cause symptoms such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and difficulty performing normal daily activities. Other symptoms of an asthma attack include: Severe wheezing when breathing both in and out.
Some of the more common causes include: 1  Fever - An increased rate of breathing with a fever as the body attempts to lose heat by breathing faster. 2  Dehydration â Dehydration alone can result in a rapid rate of breathing. 3  Asthma â During an asthma attack, respiratory rate is often increased.