Does Asthma turn into COPD?

 

Asthma does not automatically lead to COPD, but a person whose lungs have been injured by poorly controlled asthma and continued liability to irritants such as tobacco smoke is at increased risk of expand COPD. It is possible for people to have both COPD and asthma. This is called Asthma-COPD Overlap.

Asthma and COPD share comparable symptoms : constant wheezing, cough, labored breathing during exercise, chest tightness and shortness of breath.

COPD involving several progressive lung problems that develop over time, and including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Factors that point to a COPD diagnosis include :

• Increased mucus or phlegm,
• History of smoking cigarettes,
• A greater frequency of respiratory tract infections,
• Exposure to second hand smoke or environmental pollutants.

So many people with COPD increase symptoms after the age of 40 years of exposure to lung particularly smoking, irritation. These are the signs that could suggest COPD include fatigue, weight loss and morning headaches.

COPD and Asthma are both dangerous, potentially life threatening conditions. Both are treated with quick relief inhalers for respiratory emergencies and daily controller medications that help keep airways open, lower mucus and improve breathing.