Our service is free and we are here to help you. Section Menu. Symptoms include: Difficulty breathing Excess mucus more than usual Feeling tired Frequent coughing Frequent shortness of breath Wheezing If you have asthma or COPD, it may be difficult to tell the difference between these two chronic lung diseases, especially as people living with asthma or COPD get older or smoke.
Some of the measures that your doctor will look at to make a diagnosis include: Age of onset Pattern of respiratory symptoms Lung function Past history or family history Chest X-ray Episodes or flare-ups Airway inflammation Smoking History of exposure to lung irritants Treatment Options There is not a single medicine that can improve ACOS, but there are three types of medicines available today that can help improve symptoms.
These include: Low-dose inhaled corticosteroid ICS A common long-term control medicine for asthma that treats the ongoing inflammation in the airways. Long-acting bronchodilator LABA A long-term control medicine for asthma that keeps the airways open for a longer period of time hours.
This type of medicine should not be used alone and should be combined with another medication that treats inflammation. It helps keep airways from tightening and making too much mucus. Take Action Don't make excuses. Learn more about asthma by taking our free one-hour course, Asthma Basics. Learn more about COPD. If you smoke, make a plan to quit. Patients with either asthma or COPD are encouraged to participate in clinical trials that will help us better understand both asthma and COPD and thus, develop better treatments for these chronic lung diseases.
Smoking is a dangerous aggravation to all respiratory problems. It can decrease your life expectancy and interfere with your treatment plan. The most important thing you can do for your health is to stop smoking.
When these two diseases overlap, both diseases need to be treated. A diagnosis of severe asthma means that the symptoms of your asthma are not responding well to medications typically used to manage asthma, such as inhaled corticosteroids. You will need special care and treatment to try to improve lung function and manage symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment can change the course of the syndrome and slow its progression. An allergist can diagnose COPD and other conditions, such as asthma, by asking you about your medical history.
Your allergist will also give you a physical exam that may include a quick breathing test, known as spirometry. This will measure how much air your lungs can hold and how quickly air moves in and out. Your allergist also may suggest a chest CT scan and a chest X-ray. After determining the stage of your COPD and your asthma, ranging from mild to severe, your allergist will go over treatment options with you and discuss lifestyle changes and a treatment plan to help you feel better and improve lung function.
COPD is progressive, which means it gets worse over time. Asthma is a reversible condition when the right treatment is received at the right time.
This makes early treatment important, especially when ACOS occurs. If you have any signs of COPD, you should see an allergist. The earlier you get treatment, the better. Each patient receives a customized treatment plan. Treatment may include medication to reduce symptoms, supplemental oxygen and pulmonary lung rehabilitation.
It may take some time to identify which medications work best for you. Lifestyle changes, such as exercise, breathing techniques and avoidance of air pollutants at home and at work, may also be recommended.
For smokers, the most important part of treatment is quitting the use of tobacco. Early diagnosis can be crucial to preserving lung function in people with COPD. About 40 percent of people who have COPD also have asthma. Asthma is considered a risk factor for developing COPD.
Your chance of getting this dual diagnosis increases as you age. Asthma and COPD may seem similar, but taking a closer look at the following factors can help you tell to the difference between the two conditions.
Airway obstruction occurs with both diseases. The age of initial presentation is often the distinguishing feature between COPD and asthma.
People who have asthma are typically diagnosed as children, as noted by Dr. On the other hand, COPD symptoms usually show up only in adults over the age of 40 who are current or former smokers, according to the NIH.
It is known that exposure to certain kinds of substances allergens can trigger allergies. These differ from person to person. Some common asthma triggers include: pollen, dust mites, mold, pet hair, respiratory infections, physical activity, cold air, smoke, some medications such as beta blockers and aspirin, stress, sulfites and preservatives added to some foods and beverages, and gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD.
The known cause of COPD in the developed world is smoking. Smoking and smoke irritate the lungs, causing the bronchial tubes and air sacs to lose their natural elasticity and over-expand, which leaves air trapped in the lungs when you exhale. About 1 percent of people with COPD develop the disease as a result of a genetic disorder that causes low levels of a protein called alphaantitrypsin AAt. This protein helps protect the lungs. Without enough of it, lung damage occurs easily, not just in long-term smokers but also in infants and children who have never smoked.
COPD aggravations are largely caused by respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia and the flu. COPD can also be made worse by exposure to environmental pollutants. COPD and asthma symptoms seem outwardly similar, especially the shortness of breath that happens in both diseases.
Airway hyper-responsiveness when your airways are very sensitive to things you inhale is a common feature of both asthma and COPD. Comorbidities are diseases and conditions that you have in addition to the main disease. Comorbidities for asthma and COPD are also often similar. They include:.
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