COPD & Emphysema Support Group

COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...

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DivineSilence 03/25/2013

up like asthma does? How do I tell the difference between the asthma and the COPD? Is the COPD the feeling that my lungs are smaller than they used to be and I can not get as deep a breath as I used to? Or is that the asthma flairing up? is the wheeze from the asthma or the COPD? I guess maybe it doesn't matter as the treatment is the same in either case but I was wondering how do you tell the difference if you have both like I do?

deleted_user 03/25/2013

It sure can, although we usually call it an exacerbation. I usually get a lung infection, which causes tightness in my chest and a green or brown sputum.produced when I cough. My treatment for a lung infection will most likely be different than someone elses exacerbation.
We eventually recognize our symptoms over time, enabling us to call it pretty close. Mayhaps another in our group can help on the asthma question...

Take care,
Dennis

deleted_user 03/25/2013

Just as Dennis said it is call and exacerbation.

Difference between asthma and copd these sites will tell you the difference.
http://www.symptomfind.com/health/difference-between-asthma-and-copd/
http://www.everydayhealth.com/copd/the-differences-between-asthma-and-copd.aspx

God bless

grannie 03/25/2013

I have both, My Asthma only flairs up when I come in contact with certain smells, dust, pollen is a killer. However, I have not had a flair in over a year..I take Symbicort and Singuliar on a regular basis. I have had Asthma most of my life. My Emphy gives me the most problems, seems like there is not to much I can do, it takes my breath away.

The Links Drinkcoffee gave you really explains it.

DivineSilence 03/26/2013

Thanks for the answers..... I had quite a lot of trouble this past winter with 4 ER visits and 2 hospital stays for the asthma which was difficult to control so now I am wondering if it was not the asthma but the COPD or maybe a combination of both....

Great articles, thank you!

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