asthma
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GC: n

S: WHO – http://www.who.int/respiratory/asthma/en/ (last access: 19 June 2015); NIH – https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/asthma (last access: 20 November 2016).

N: 1. late 14c. asma, asma, from Latin asthma, from Greek asthma “short breath, a panting,” from azein “breathe hard,” probably related to anemos “wind.” The -th- was restored in English 16c.
2. Asthma, the most common chronic children’s disease, affects an average of one in 13 school-aged children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A chronic inflammatory disorder with attacks ranging from mild to life-threatening, its symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing and chest pain. Asthma can limit activity and affect a child’s overall well-being. It can also place a significant financial and emotional burden on the family. The number of new cases, hospitalization visits, and deaths from asthma has increased dramatically over the last 20 years.
3. Originally, a term used to mean « difficult breathing »; now used to denote bronchial asthma.

S: 1. OED – http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=asthma (last access: 19 June 2015). 2. http://www.dorlandhealth.com/dorland-health-articles/asthma-in-the-young (last access: 19 June 2015). 3. GDT (last access: 19 June 2015).

SYN: bronchial asthma, Churg-Strauss syndrome, true asthma.

S: GDT (last access: 19 June 2015)

CR: bronchospasm, rale, rhinitis.