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.
But even when shortness of breath is caused by a health condition, it can still lead to anxiety, because hyperventilation and trouble breathing can trigger anxiety attacks. When shortness of breath is caused by anxiety, you need to treat the anxiety first. If you haven't yet, take my 7 minute anxiety test to see if your breathing difficulty is likely related to anxiety. Causes of Shortness of Breath. Anxiety related breathing issues tend to be a result of hyperventilation.