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.
A doctor is performing a check up. Shortness of breath or breathing difficulties can have several causes, including asthma, emphysema, heart disease or anxiety. One cause of several health problems that may present with breathing difficulties is being overweight. In some cases, losing weight may help if you have difficulty breathing.