THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN

ASTHMA & COPD

 

 

Difference between Asthma & COPD



Both respiratory diseases involve chronic inflammation that leads to airflow obstruction. but asthma is typically diagnosed in childhood, while COPD is usually diagnosed in adults over 40 with a history of smoking. Although many of the symptoms are similar, asthma can be distinguished by the dryness of the cough; with COPD, the cough is more “productive” or mucus-yielding. Also, asthma symptoms disappear between episodes, but COPD symptoms progressively worsen instead.

 
CAUSES:

The causes of asthma and COPD are different.

CAUSES OF ASTHMA:

Experts remain confused as to why some people develop asthma and others do not. It could be the result of a mix of environmental and inherited (genetic) influences. It is well understood that some compounds (allergens) can cause allergies. These differ from one person to the next.

  •         Pollen,
  •         Dust mites
  •         Mold
  •         Pet hair
  •         Physical activity
  •         Respiratory infections
  •         Cold air
  •         Smoke
  •         Stress
  •         Preservatives added to various food and drinks
  •         GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
  •         Some drugs such as
  1.            Aspirin
  2.            Beta-blockers
  3.            Sulfuric acid  are a typical asthma factor.

 

Asthma causes & symptoms

 

CAUSES OF COPD:

In the developed world, smoking is the known cause of COPD. Exposure to fumes from burning fuel for cooking and heating causes it in developing countries. Tobacco use and smoke irritate the lungs, causing the bronchial tubes and air sacs to lose their normal suppleness and over-expand, trapping air in the lungs when you exhale.

A genetic abnormality that causes low amounts of a protein called alpha-1-antitrypsin causes the disease in about 1% of patients with COPD. Lung damage is easily caused by a lack of it, not only in long-term smokers but even in newborns and children who have never smoked.

 

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

 

VARIOUS CAUSES:

The stimuli that produce COPD versus asthma reactions are also distinct.

ASTHMA OTHER CAUSES:

Asthma is typically aggravated by exposure to the following:

  •           Cold weather 
  •           Exercise
  •           Allergies

COPD OTHER CAUSES:

Respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia
and the flu are major causes of COPD exacerbation. Exposure to environmental
impurities might also aggravate COPD.

 

SYMPTOMS:

Asthma and COPD symptoms appear to be identical on the surface, particularly the shortness of breath that occurs in both conditions. Asthma and COPD both have airway hyperresponsiveness (when your airways are extremely sensitive to what you inhale).

COMORBIDITIES:

Comorbidities are diseases and disorders that you have added to the primary disease. Asthma and COPD comorbidities are frequently comparable. They are as follows:

  • Hypertension.
  • Sinusitis
  • Insomnia
  • Depression
  • Migraine
  • Carcinoma 
  • Acid peptic disease

Researchers discovered that more than 20% of COPD patients have three or more comorbid illnesses.

 

TREATMENT:

ASTHMA TREATMENT:

Asthma is a chronic medical condition that can be treated. Recognizing your asthma triggers and taking important components of treatment. It’s also critical to monitor your breathing to ensure that your daily asthma meds are working properly. Asthma treatment options include:

Short-acting bronchodilator:

Short-acting beta-agonists, Ipratropium (Atrovent), and oral and intravenous corticosteroids are examples of quick-relief drugs (bronchodilators).

Allergy medication:

Allergy shots (immunotherapy) and omalizumab (Xolair) are two examples of allergy drugs.

Long-term asthma control medicine: 

Inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers, long-acting beta agonists, combination inhalers, and theophylline are examples of long-term asthma control drugs.

Bronchial thermoplasty : 

This procedure involves using an electrode to heat the inside of the lungs and airways. It causes the smooth muscle inside the airways to contract. This lessens the ability of the airway to tighten, making breathing easier and possibly lowering asthma attacks.

 

COPD TREATMENT:

COPD, like asthma, is a chronic health disease to control symptoms so you can live an active and healthy life. Because it is a degenerative disorder. You should stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke. This is the only method to keep COPD from worsening. Nicotine replacement products and pharmaceuticals, as well as counseling, hypnotherapy, and support groups, are some techniques for quitting smoking. Other popular COPD therapies include

Medication:

  • Bronchodilators 
  • Inhaled steroids 
  • Combination inhalers 
  • Oral steroids 
  • Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors 
  • Theophylline 
  • And antibiotics are examples of drugs.

Lung treatment:

To improve your quality of life, consider lung therapies such as oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation programs that include education, exercise training, dietary advice, and counseling.

 Surgical treatment: 

1.   1. Lung volume reduction surgery: (removing areas of damaged lung tissue to make room in the chest cavity for the remaining healthy lung tissue), 

2.  2.  Lung transplant: (replacing diseased and damaged lungs with healthy, donated lungs), or 

3.   3. Bullectomy (removal of abnormally large air spaces from the lungs to help improve breathing) is an example of surgery.

 

DIFFERENCES: BETWEEN ASTHMA & COPD:


DIFFRENCE ASTHMA

COPD 

INTRODUCTION: 

Asthma is a prevalent chronic inflammatory disease of the
airways characterized by reversible airflow restriction and bronchospasm. 

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a kind of
obstructive lung illness that is distinguished by consistently reduced
airflow.

 

SYMPTOMS:

 

Symptoms
include chronic coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and
bronchioles spasms. Symptoms subside between attacks reduced

d airflow; increased inflammation;
bronchioles spasms; morning cough with phlegm. Symptoms never go away, but
instead worsen with time.

 

NATURE OF
COUGH: 

Dry

Productive
cough

DIAGNOSIS

Physical exam, medical history, including
allergy history Usually in children.

 

Spirometry,
CT-Scan which measures breathing

CLASSICAL
PRESENTATION

Younger
patient, repeated episodes of wheezing and coughing, with a tight chest and
shortness of breath. Bronchodilators work swiftly to alleviate symptoms. 

Older patient, smoker or former smoker,
developing shortness of breath and mucous cough, with decreasing physical
activity. Bronchodilator treatment is effective, but lung function does not
improve.

 

TRIGGERS: 

Allergens, chilly air, and physical activity.

 

Pollutants
in the environment, respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia and influenza