Allergies and breathing disorders can be some of the toughest conditions to navigate, especially since there is so much at stake. If you are suffering from asthma, emphysema, or COPD, you may be wondering if there are any links between these diseases.
Recent studies have compared links between asthma and COPD. If you are interested in a consultation or assessment to diagnose your own breathing conditions, please make an appointment for asthma treatment in Manhattan.
The Similarities
The first thing to look at is the many similarities that asthma and COPD share with each other. Since they are both classified as breathing conditions, there are naturally some symptoms that remain the same across various diseases. The biggest similarities between asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease include:
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing and wheezing
- Increased viral infections
- Exacerbated symptoms around tobacco smoke or air pollution
- Diagnosis through spirometry
- Classification as diseases of chronic inflammation of the airways, causing an obstruction of airflow
While this may or may not be enough to prove a link between the two diseases, it is certainly enough to show that one who has been diagnosed with these conditions should take extra caution. Studies performed by the American Lung Association show that children with asthma are over 30 times more likely to have COPD once they become adults. These cases increase with higher severity levels of asthma.
The Differences
The differences between asthma and COPD are just as important as the similarities. When you are seeking asthma treatment in Manhattan, ask Dr. Shukla about how to best differentiate between these two conditions in order to give you the most accurate assessment possible.
Some of the biggest differences between asthma and COPD include:
- Asthma is largely triggered by allergies, while COPD is a bacterial occurrence
- Asthma is a reversible obstruction of the airways, while COPD is irreversible once it is prevalent
- The goal of asthma treatment is to get rid of chronic inflammation, while COPD treatment is meant to reduce the symptoms of this disease
- COPD and asthma have completely different responses to different anti-inflammatory medicines, since the type of inflammation is so varied
The last bullet point is crucial to determining whether you have asthma or COPD based on your reaction to certain medications. If you have been improperly diagnosed, you may want to speak with your asthma doctor right away for another examination. While there are many probable links between asthma and COPD, their methods of diagnosis and treatment are very different. And when it comes to your health, it’s critical to get it right.
Causes and Solutions
There are preventative measures you can take to either reduce or get rid of your risk of asthma and COPD. Since the leading cause of COPD development is smoking, the best way to reduce symptoms or get rid of your risk is to stop smoking immediately. Asthma is more prevalent in children, especially when they have triggers to certain environmental allergens. Assessing the source of these breathing issues is the first step towards finding a viable treatment.
Asthma Treatment in Manhattan
The similarities that link asthma with COPD cannot be ignored. If you are worried that you or someone you know is at risk of developing COPD from asthma, we encourage you to get in touch with one of our friendly staff members right away. For the most comprehensive asthma treatment in Manhattan, please contact us online or give us a call at (917) 935-4864.
