Asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) are two chronic respiratory conditions that can have a significant impact on a person’s life. While asthma and COPD may have similar symptoms such as difficulty breathing, they are distinct health conditions.
What Is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that is characterized by inflammation of the airways and bronchi resulting in narrowed airways, difficulty breathing, and wheezing. People with asthma have episodes of difficulty breathing or wheezing that typically come and go, and may occur more often when exposed to triggers such as allergens or infections. Asthma is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases, and affects more than 25 million Americans.
Asthma is characterized by episodes of difficulty breathing or wheezing that generally come and go.
What Is COPD
COPD is a chronic lung condition caused by long-term exposure to irritants such as smoke from cigarettes, air pollution, and chemical fumes. People with COPD tend to experience slow but progressive breathlessness, as their airways become obstructed due to inflammation and mucus build-up. COPD affects about 16 million people in the United States and is the fourth leading cause of death in the country.
COPD includes a group of lung diseases that obstruct airflow from the lungs, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
How are breathing problems treated?
When a patient comes in with breathing problems, Dr. McElya will start with a pulmonary function test toevaluate the possibility of various respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD, emphysema, and bronchitis.
A pulmonary function test will measure how well the lungs take in and exhale air, as well as the movement of gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout the body. This type of test also determines the patient's lung capacity and the capacity of the airways, as a patient with asthma would have normal or only slightly restricted airways, while a patient with COPD would have significantly more impaired airways.
For an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment, Dr. McElya will refer you to a pulmonologist if you are suspected of having a respiratory illness such as asthma, COPD, or chronic bronchitis. A referral to a pulmonologist can help you get more insight into your condition and ensure you receive the best treatment.