- In the 1870s, explorers in Egypt discovered hieroglyphics that revealed how to treat asthma symptoms. The remedy recommended heating up herbs on a brick and inhaling the fumes. This discovery proved that asthma has been around for centuries (Reference 2).
- The word asthma originates from the Greek word "aazeiri," meaning "sharp breath." The famous Greek physician, Hippocrates, first used this word in 450 B.C. to describe a health condition. It is not clear, however, whether Hippocrates was referring to asthma as a medical condition or merely its symptoms.
- During the 12th century, a physician by the name of Moses Maimonides practiced medicine for the court of Egypt and Syria's sultan, Saladin. When treating patients who suffered from asthma, Maimonides discovered conditions that trigger of asthma, which included pollution and dry climates.
- During the 16th century, Belgium physician Jean Baptiste Van Helmont linked asthma symptoms to the lung's airways. During the 17th century, Italian physician Bernardino Ramazzini linked asthma symptoms to dust and other irritants.
- More asthma triggers were discovered during the 1860s, when physicians found that animal dander causes attacks. Until the end of the 1800s, asthma medication was in the form of smoke, which a patient inhaled. Despite these discoveries, asthma was still considered a rare disease during the 19th century.
- In 1901, Japanese scientist Jokici Takamine developed the first bronchodilator used to treat asthma symptoms. In the 1960s, scientists defined asthma as what it is today, an inflammatory illness and not just a constriction of the lungs. Since the 1960s, anti-inflammatory medications have been used to help prevent asthma symptoms.
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