Asthma and COPD are often confused as being the same disease; however, they are very different. Asthma, according to Google Health, is “an inflammatory disorder of the airways, which causes attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.”
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in contrast is a lung disease that makes it difficult to breath. Google Health presents two main types of COPD. Chronic bronchitis is one type and the other is emphysema. Chronic bronchitis is defined as a “long term cough with mucus” and emphysema as “destruction of the lungs over time,” according to Google Health.
Asthma
With asthma, your “airways narrow and swell,” according to the Mayo Clinic. The most common symptoms are shortness of breath (or having trouble getting a breath), coughing, and wheezing. An asthma attack can come on suddenly with no warning and no known cause. However, asthma is associated with allergies which can cause the attack to happen.
Lung Damage
COPD is long term damage to the lungs. With chronic bronchitis, the lungs become damaged most often from smoking. However, some people smoke for years and never develop COPD. Emphysema can also be caused by smoking. With emphysema, the lungs become diseased beyond repair. The sufferer often must use oxygen therapy just to breath for the rest of their life. The best way to avoid COPD is to not smoke, or if you do, to quit.
Less often, COPD can be caused by chronic asthmatic bronchitis, according to the Mayo Clinic. No matter the cause of COPD, the damage limits your lungs ability to do its job. Oxygen deprivation is common with sufferers of COPD and must be treated appropriately.
Causes of Asthma
According to MedlinePlus, common causes of asthma attacks include pet hair or dander, dust, changes in weather, chemicals in the air or in food, exercise, mold, pollen, respiratory infections, stress, and tobacco smoke. Asthma attacks can be fatal if not treated immediately so a person who is having any of the symptoms of asthma should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Asthma is different than COPD in that asthma is a disease that does not discriminate. Young children have as many asthma attacks as do adults. Lifestyle and financial status play no role in the onset of asthma. While tobacco smoke can cause asthma attacks, so can petting the family cat. There is no way of knowing what will bring on the next attack or how severe it will be.
Preventing COPD
COPD can be prevented in most cases. By not smoking, you can give your lungs a fighting chance of staying healthy. Healthy lungs allow easier breathing and allow your lungs to do their job. While there are other causes of COPD, smoking is the most common link to the disease. The only real link between asthma and COPD is that the more severe you allergy attacks, the more likely to damage your lungs which can lead to COPD.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Daphne Matthews - Author
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