Contents:
- Medical Video: STEP Asthma and COPD: Similarities and Differences
- Why Is Asthma and COPD Often Changed?
- What are the differences in asthma and COPD?
- Response to treatment
Medical Video: STEP Asthma and COPD: Similarities and Differences
When someone feels short of breath, at first you might consider this normal. It could be, you even think that this is just mild asthma and let it go. Though it could be shortness of breath is a sign of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease aka COPD. So, what is the difference between asthma and COPD? How do you distinguish the two?
Why Is Asthma and COPD Often Changed?
Symptoms of COPD and asthma can appear similar, especially shortness of breath which is a sign of both of these diseases. Excessive airway response (when your airway is very sensitive to what you breathe) is a common symptom of asthma and COPD.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a general term that describes progressive respiratory diseases, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD is characterized by reduced air flow over time, and swelling of the tissue lining the airways.
Meanwhile, asthma is a different disease even though both attack your respiratory system. This disease attacks the respiratory tract (inflammation of the airways) so that it disrupts the supply of oxygen to the lungs. Although different, asthma is often as COPD because of the similarity of symptoms. Some common symptoms of asthma and COPD are chronic coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
According to National Institutes of Health (NIH), around 24 million Americans suffer from COPD. However, half did not realize that they had that condition. Paying attention to symptoms — especially in people who smoke — can help them with COPD to be diagnosed as early as possible. Early detection of COPD is very important because it can maintain lung function better in COPD patients.
When a person has COPD, usually he also has asthma. Research shows that about 40 percent of people with COPD also have asthma. Asthma is considered as one of the risk factors for this Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. You are also more at risk of getting these two diseases as you get older.
What are the differences in asthma and COPD?
Asthma and COPD have similar symptoms. Although similar, it does not mean you can relieve symptoms by giving the same treatment. You still need to know the difference in asthma and COPD because there are some differences in the treatment of these two conditions.
Some differences in asthma and COPD that might help you identify the two diseases are as follows.
Age
Both of these diseases both experience interference with the airways, namely the respiratory tract that has narrowed. This disorder will cause symptoms such as shortness of breath or wheezing. The age at which these symptoms appear is often a marker of differences in asthma and COPD.
Generally, asthma can usually be diagnosed since they were children, citing Dr. Neil Schachter, medical director of the respiratory care department at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. On the contrary, according to the NIH, the shortness of breathlessness that occurs in adults over 40 years may be a sign of COPD. Especially if the person is an active smoker or ex-smoker.
Triggers
Because the two diseases are different, the factors that trigger both of these diseases appear and worsen usually also other. Asthma conditions will usually worsen when the sufferer is exposed to allergic factors. That is, generally asthma is worsened because of the patient's allergic conditions, such as dust or cold air. Asthma can also be made worse by excessive exercise.
Whereas for COPD, the condition will worsen so that symptoms arise due to the occurrence of respiratory infections. Pneumonia and flu can be one of the respiratory tract infections that worsen someone's COPD condition. This disease can also be triggered by exposure to environmental pollutants.
Comorbidity
Comorbidity is a disease and condition that you suffer in addition to the main disease. Comorbidity for asthma and COPD is also often similar, including:
- high blood pressure
- impaired mobility
- insomnia
- sinusitis
- migraine
- depression
- gastric ulcer
- cancer
One study found that 20 percent of COPD patients suffer from three or more of these comorbidities.
Response to treatment
Both COPD and asthma can respond to airway relief drugs, such as bronchodilators properly, especially if those who have a smoking habit ignore the habit. However, lung function can only be fully restored to people with asthma. Generally, the lung function of patients with COPD cannot be returned to 100 percent normal.
Asthma people who also have COPD will experience a rapid decline in lung function as the development of COPD worsens due to the passage of time. The pulmonary function will not be restored and still occurs even in people with mild stage COPD.
Unfortunately, until now there are no healers for both of these diseases. However, you can still live normally and comfortably through proper treatment and avoid the trigger factors. Overcoming asthma can be done with the help of drugs and avoiding allergens can prevent attacks and even make you move normally. Meanwhile, routine and disciplined treatment for COPD can help you become more active and slow the progression of this disease.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
