Why It is Important To Know The Difference
Asthma and COPD can both make you short of breath, cough, and wheeze. Sometimes, people are told they have one when they actually have the other, or even both. It is important to get the right diagnosis because the treatments, outlook, and lifestyle changes are all different.
What Is Asthma?
Asthma is a long-term condition that makes your airways inflamed and sensitive. The airways can swell and tighten when triggered by things like dust, cold air, pollen, exercise, or smoke. The good news is that the tightening can be reversed with the right treatment. It allows your lungs to work normally again.
Asthma usually starts in childhood or early adulthood. However, more adults are getting it too. It is commonly linked to allergies and a family history of similar conditions.
What Is COPD?
COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a long-term lung condition that gets worse over time. It usually happens because of the long-term damage from smoking. The damage permanently narrows the small airways and destroys the tiny air sacs in the lungs, so airflow can't fully return to normal. The lungs can't be healed completely, but treatment can slow down the disease.
COPD mostly affects adults over 40 who have smoked for many years. It includes chronic bronchitis (long-lasting cough with mucus) and emphysema (damage to the air sacs).
Key Differences Between Asthma and COPD
| Feature | Asthma | COPD |
|---|---|---|
| Age at which it usually starts | Childhood or early adulthood | Usually after 40 |
| Main cause | Allergies, family history, environment | Smoking (90% of cases) |
| Airflow problems | Can usually be reversed with treatment | Mostly permanent and not fully reversible |
| Symptoms day to day | Can change, often worse at night | Usually steady and slowly gets worse |
| Response to bronchodilators | Improves a lot | Only improves a little |
| Response to steroids | Works very well | Limited effect in stable disease |
Can You Have Both? (ACOS)
Yes. Some people can have both asthma and COPD. The condition is known as Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS). It usually happens in older adults who had asthma as children and also have smoked. People with ACOS show the signs of both diseases and need treatment that addresses both. Tests such as lung function (spirometry) and a doctor's evaluation are important to make the correct diagnosis.
How Are They Diagnosed?
The main test is known as spirometry. It measures how much air you can blow out and how fast. It shows how much your airways are blocked. A bronchodilator reversibility test, doing spirometry before and after using an inhaler, helps tell if asthma and COPD are different. Both tests are available at Respire Airway Clinics and usually take about 20 minutes.
The Bottom Line
If you have been told you have asthma or COPD but your symptoms are not under control, you need to ask your doctor for a spirometry test. Most people are misdiagnosed, and getting the right diagnosis is key to getting the right treatment.