Difference between asthma and COPD: In today’s time, diseases related to lungs are increasing in people. Nowadays the name of Covid-19 comes first in lung disease. But apart from this, there can be many other reasons for increasing respiratory problems in people, such as the problem of asthma and COPD i.e. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Both these are respiratory diseases, which have been affecting people for a long time. Asthma and COPD are both very serious diseases of the respiratory system. But often people do not understand the difference between the two.
Before Covid, people used to refer to any respiratory disease as asthma, but this assumption is wrong. There can be many reasons for breathing problems. Today we will talk about asthma and COPD, both are respiratory diseases, but both are different from each other.
To know the difference between these two, you first need to know what is asthma and COPD, know about the difference in their symptoms and treatment:
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a respiratory disease caused by inflammation of the bronchial tubes. In this, there is difficulty in breathing due to lack of proper access of air to the lungs of the victim. It is a type of allergy. This problem can start at any time in the patient of asthma.
Apart from shortness of breath, there is also a problem of chest pain, cough and mucus. In this, breathing becomes more difficult due to swelling in the airways.
What is COPD?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a lung disease that causes shortness of breath. Pulmonary disease is a disease of the lungs. In this, the patient has a lot of difficulty in breathing. This problem is seen more in patients who smoke.
This makes it difficult for air to escape from the lungs (blockage of airflow). Due to this blockage, the patient starts having difficulty in breathing.
Difference Between COPD and Asthma
Asthma and COPD i.e. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are both lung diseases and both of them have a lot of difficulty in breathing. But these two diseases are not the same, there is a lot of difference between the two. By the way, the lungs of a healthy person are like sponges and when we breathe, oxygen goes inside the body and gets mixed in the blood.
After this carbon dioxide comes out of the body. But this is not the case with COPD. Oxygen does not dissolve in the blood of the body and the problem starts. So in such a situation, sufficient amount of oxygen does not reach the body.
This is the reason why the patient starts having trouble in breathing. Many such people take it as a problem of shortness of breath, which is wrong. Whereas in the problem of asthma, there is no problem like lack of oxygen.
Due to this, air does not reach the lungs and the patient starts having difficulty in breathing. Apart from this, due to the inflammation of the airways in asthma, the respiratory tract starts to constrict. Air moves in and out of the lungs through these air passages i.e. bronchial tubes.
Apart from this, you can also recognize the difference between the two from the other symptoms given below.
Difference Between Asthma and COPD Symptoms
If we talk about the difference between the symptoms of asthma and COPD, then you can see many differences between the two diseases. So that both can be identified.
In this regard, Dr Pankaj Gulati, Pulmonologist in Jaipur, while explaining the difference between the two said that there are many such symptoms, which tell the difference between the two, including:
Asthma
- About 80 percent of the symptoms of asthma in people are known to them in childhood. That is, most people have asthma since childhood.
- Asthma is a disease caused by any type of allergy.
- In this, by taking an inhaler, the problem gets relief to a great extent.
- Problems breathing during allergies, cold weather and exercise.
- Some conditions include eczema and allergic rhinitis.
COPD
- The problem of COPD is seen in people after the age of 30 (Age Factor)
- Lung size increases in this
- Breathing problem while doing some work
- Wheezing
- Nervousness
- Feeling chest tightness
- Cough Problem
- Fatigue
- Whooping cough in the morning
Along with the problem in the lungs of patients with asthma and COPD, some other problems may also come up, which can be as follows, such as:
- High blood pressure problem
- Insomnia problem
- Sinusitis problem
- Migraine pain
- Depression can be a problem
- Stomach ulcers may occur
- Cancer risk
Causes Of COPD
The biggest reason for getting COPD disease is increasing pollution. Due to which many people are falling prey to Lame disease. Every day the smoke generated from vehicles on the road is affecting the lungs of the people.
Apart from this, allergens caused by dust, soil, dust also affect the lungs by going inside the body along with the breath. Apart from these reasons, smoking is also the reason for the increase of this disease in people.
Many people who are chain smokers, smoke beedis or hookah also have an increased risk of COPD. That’s why doctors advise to avoid smoking.
Causes Of Asthma
The problem of asthma in people can be due to many reasons, but the main one that is seen is smoking. After this, obesity has also been considered a big reason for this problem in many people. Due to the increasing weight, there is pressure in the windpipe.
Apart from this, an allergy is also one of the main reasons for the problem of asthma. Due to which this problem starts triggering in them. Other reasons for this include people taking more stress and increasing pollution.
Important Points
- To avoid this problem, keep in mind that always use a mask while going out.
- Do not let the body lack water. For this keep yourself hydrated.
- Avoid exposure to smoke.
- If you feel any problem, see a doctor immediately.
- Avoid dust while cleaning the house.
- Do not go to very crowded place.
- Avoid smoking, second hand smoking, tobacco and alcohol.
- Do exercise regularly.
Consult with Pulmonologist Doctor Now!
We hope that by now you have become aware of the difference between asthma and COPD. It is important for a person to understand that whenever they are dealing with such respiratory issues, it is important to contact the doctor on time and get treatment.
If you are looking for the best treatment and best doctor near you, come to Jaipur and make an appointment with Dr. Pankaj Gulati.
He is one of the best Pulmonologist in Jaipur. You can go to them and get treatment. The best part is that he has been in this field for a very long time and has been treating patients suffering from such respiratory problems.
You can simply discuss everything with him so that you can get an idea of how to start the treatment to get rid of the condition you are going through.