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.
A multitude of conditions can cause shortness of breath. However, the most common causes of severe breathing problems include: 1  Infection of the lungs, such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and tuberculosis. 2  Asthma. 3  COPD. 4  Heart failure.