Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are different conditions but have many features in common.
COPD is the term used for long-term lung conditions that are characterized by a shortness of breath, such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
COPD usually occurs in individuals who smoke cigarettes, or have a history of smoking. Exposure to irritants like dust and fumes can also increase one’s risk of developing COPD.
How are asthma and COPD different
Asthma and COPD can be hard to distinguish from each other because they have many common features. Additionally, it is possible to have both conditions at once.
Your doctor may ask you to have a lung function test (called spirometry) to help identify if you have asthma or COPD. This test will also help determine how mild or severe your lung problems are.
Knowing which condition you have, or if you have both, is an important part of getting the right treatment. Asthma and COPD have different patterns of symptoms and triggers and require different management.
