Asthmaandchronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)are both respiratory diseases involving chronic inflammation that leads to airflow obstruction.
While they share similar symptoms, their causes and treatments differ.
In some cases, asthma and COPD may overlap in what is termed asthma-COPD overlap syndrome, or ACOS.
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If you have asthma, you are more likely to experience episodic symptoms during and/or at night.
Asthma symptoms are likely to occur after exposure to specific triggers, whereas COPD symptoms occur more regularly.
They will do a physical examination, listening for signs of wheezing, shortness of breath, and cough.
They may also look for signs of nasal inflammation that can make asthma symptoms more pronounced.
Treatment
Asthma and COPD are treated with different treatments because the cause of inflammation is different.
The goals of treatment in asthma and COPD are also different.
Airflow Obstruction: Reversible or Permanent?
Inhaled Steroids
Inhaled steroidsare advantageous in both asthma and COPD because the medication acts directly in the lung.
However, inhaled steroids are used differently in asthma and COPD.
Short-Acting Bronchodilators (SABAs)
In asthma,SABAsare used for the periodic relief of acute symptoms.
In contrast, scheduled SABAs are among the first treatments used for COPD.
This treatment is generally reserved for people who have has severe lung damage despite medical therapy.
Studies have shown that between 10 to 20% of people who have COPD also have asthma.
Treatment for ACOS primarily consists of symptom management and depends on which condition is more predominant.
Medications such as low-dose corticosteroids, LABAs, and long-acting muscarinic agonists may be used along with lifestyle changes.
American Lung Association.Asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS).
American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunotherapy.Asthma and COPD: differences and similarities.
American Academy of Family Physicians.COPD and asthma differential diagnosis.
2015;70(7):683-91. doi:10.1136/thoraxjnl-2014-206740
Postma DS, Rabe KF.The asthma-COPD overlap syndrome.N Engl J Med.
2015;373(13):1241-9. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1411863
