COPD Initiative — Respiratory Health Association™ of Metropolitan Chicago

COPD & Asthma

Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are two conditions that scientists and healthcare professionals once believed were entirely separate illnesses. Recently, there has been research in this area that shows that there may be a stronger connection than we thought. In a recent study, the researchers found that patients followed over a 20-year span with continuous asthma have a greater risk of developing COPD later in life than those with inactive asthma or without asthma.78

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Source:
http://www.medscape.com/viewprogram/3577_pntCOPD:


An Update on Diagnosis and Treatment (Archived Web Conference) CME/CE
Presenters: Jill A. Ohar, MD, and Eugene R. Bleecker, MD

 

The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung disease (GOLD) excludes asthma in the definition of COPD because unlike COPD airflow blockage in asthma can be reversed (i.e. go back to normal) in response to inhaled bronchodilators. However, new data and current asthma guidelines show that some patients with asthma do, in fact, have airflow blockage that cannot return to normal.59 Also, studies have shown that airflow blockage may be reversible in some COPD patients.

Both asthma and COPD may cause shortness of breath and cough during daily activities. A cough in the morning, every day, that produces Phlegm is a common symptom of chronic bronchitis or COPD. Recurrent Wheezing and chest tightness, especially at night, are more common with asthma. In addition, patients with asthma are more likely to have experienced other allergic symptoms in the past, such as hay fever or an itchy skin rash called Eczema. A doctor is more likely to hear wheezing with a Stethoscope when a patient is having symptoms of asthma than COPD. A “barrel chest,” due to too much air trapped in the lungs may be present in patients with COPD, especially in those with emphysema.79

Quick Guide to the Differences between COPD and Asthma

Source: SPIRIVA - COPD and Asthma are Different

Factors Asthma COPD
Age when it starts
  • Typically in childhood
  • Does not generally worsen with age
  • Occurs later in adulthood (but as soon as the early 40s)
  • Worsens with age
Triggers / causes
  • Allergens (dust, plants, animals, etc)
  • Weather
  • Heredity
  • Directly linked to smoking
  • Less commonly triggered by inhaled fumes, pollution, dusts, and chemicals
Symptoms
  • Patient is often symptom-free between attacks
  • Chronic (occurs almost all the time)
Airflow
  • Usually, treatment can quickly and fully restore airflow
  • Some airflow can be restored by quitting smoking and taking prescribed medicines

Resources for COPD & Asthma:

Resources for Asthma:
 

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