(pathology) A long-term respiratory condition, in which the airways may unexpectedly and suddenly narrow, often in response to an allergen, cold air, exercise, or emotional stress. Symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.

plural of asthma

A severe form of hay fever in which asthma is one of the distressing symptoms of the later stage.

plural of asthma attack

(medicine) An incident wherein a person who suffers intermittent experiences of bronchioconstriction undergoes such an experience, usually with a sudden onset.

emphysema of the lungs, once common among potters

(medicine, historical) Paper impregnated with saltpetre and burned to produce fumes that can be inhaled to alleviate asthma.

plural of asthma paper

A thunderstorm, in the presence of a large amount of pollen, in which the pollen grains are broken up into granules small enough to cause asthma

(pathology) asthma brought on by exposure to an asthma thunderstorm