What is the difference between Asthma and COPD?
• Asthma is reversible The mechanism, which causes asthma, is inflammation and constriction of the muscles around the airways. The symptoms “come and go” and treatment usually works well, reversing the effects of the irritation. However, asthma often progresses into COPD. There are usually daily variations in peak flow readings and a good response to bronchodilators. However, chronic asthma may progress to COPD. • COPD is poorly reversible or irreversible COPD sufferers have a chronic cough with sputum, and the disease is slowly progressive. They are usually diagnosed in middle age and have a smoking history. Many patients with COPD show some response to bronchodilators but not to the extent that asthmatics do. However, bronchodilators in the form of inhalers or through a nebulizer may help with symptoms to some degree. This is because the narrowing of the airways in COPD is “fixed”, and the symptoms are persistent (chronic). Also, because the condition is chronic and not very variable
