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.
Sinusitis can make it difficult to breathe for a week or two until the inflammation subsides and the congested sinuses begin to drain. Many breathing problems are chronic or long-term. These common breathing problems include chronic sinusitis, COPD, allergies and asthma. These problems can cause a host of symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, chest congestion, coughing, wheezing, laboured breathing and shallow breathing.