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Q: everything here sounds like asthma and COPD are the same. What is the difference ?
Hi Carl,
While asthma and COPD share many of the same symptoms and can also be treated similarly, they are not exactly the same, especially when you're referring to allergic asthma. Here is how they are the same:
* Both cause shortness of breath, wheezing, chronic cough and chest tightness
* Both are treated with inhaled steroids and bronchodilators
* Both are chonic diseases of the airways that result in a narrowing of the airways
* Cold, dry air can trigger either COPD or asthma symptoms
Here is how they are different:
* Allergic asthma symptoms are triggered by exposure to allergens such as pollen, animal dander and dust. COPD symptoms are basically always present and are not related to any allergic cause.
* Asthma causes spasms of the airways; COPD does not. The spasms are related to the allergic response in the airways.
* COPD symptoms usually worsen with activity. Asthma symptoms generally are not triggered by daily activities, though exercise may worsen them in some people.
* COPD is most often, though not always, caused by digarette smoking; asthma's risk factors can include smoking or secondhand smoke exposure, but are also related to genetic and environmental factors.
There are probably other similarities and differences, but this will at least get you started...
To your health,
Kathi
Good answer Kathi. I'd like to add to your list:
1. Asthmatics can go days, weeks, months and even years without symptoms. COPDers usually have constant shortness of breath (although it may be mild).
2. Asthmatics generally don't need oxygen, but COPDers often need to use it at some point.
3. The cause of asthma is generally unknown (although there are theories). The cause of COPD usually involves the inhalation of poisonous chemicals for a lengthy period of time. Usually the chemicals come in the form of a cigarette, but they can be occupational or other).
4. Asthma involves airway inflammation and constriction. COPD involves both those plus the destruction of lung tissue. Emphysima (a type of COPD) is caused by the literall breakup of lung tissue giving the patient less lungs to work with. Chronic bronchitis (another type of COPD) occurs when the cilia used to lift mucous out of the lungs is destroyed causing mucus to be trapped in the lungs. This caused a frequent cough and infection. Many COPD patients have both types of COPD.
There's a few more differences to help you out.
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