Having difficulty breathing can affect even the smallest parts of your life. Daily activities such as going for walks or even holding a conversation can leave you gasping for air. It’s important to seek treatment for respiratory disorders before it gets too late.
However, while most people consider asthma as the primary cause of respiratory issues, emphysema is also one such disorder that can have similar symptoms. Knowing how to differentiate between the two can help determine what you should be concerned about.
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that can cause recurring wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. Usually, asthma is triggered by various factors, such as allergens like pollen or dust mites. Respiratory infections, exercise, or environmental pollutants can also aggravate it.
During an asthma attack, breathing becomes difficult as the airways become inflamed and narrow. Although chronic asthma cannot be cured, effective management is possible with medications like inhalers with bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory agents.
What is Emphysema?
Emphysema is another common respiratory disease and affects over three million people in the United States. Emphysema is a progressive lung disease that affects the alveoli, the air sacs in the lungs responsible for gas exchange. It is one of the conditions classified as COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
Emphysema causes the walls of the alveoli to be damaged and decreases the area for oxygen exchange. It then manifests as difficulty breathing and reduces oxygen supply to the bloodstream.
The Differences Between Asthma and Emphysema
There are some notable differences between asthma and emphysema. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the airways. It has reversible airflow obstruction triggered by some allergens, exercise, or environmental factors.
In contrast, emphysema is a progressive form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that involves the destruction of alveoli, or air sacs, in the lungs. Its damage is not reversible and can gradually make the lungs stop working.
The key difference between asthma and emphysema is that asthma symptoms get better and maybe dormant for long periods. In contrast, emphysema symptoms are constant and worsen over time.
Symptoms of emphysema are similar to asthma but also involve a chronic cough with mucus and increased difficulty breathing during physical activity. While asthma can occur at any age and can be managed with medication, emphysema is common in older adults.
Are Emphysema and Asthma Linked?
Asthma and emphysema are distinct conditions but can be linked due to being part of the COPD group of lung diseases. Most people with asthma will not develop COPD, while those with COPD do not start with asthma.
However, emphysema and asthma can overlap, and people can develop these diseases at the same time. The similarities emphysema and asthma share are some of their symptoms, but differ in their underlying causes and treatment methods.
End Note
Emphysema and asthma are conditions that affect the respiratory system. Hence, it’s normal that emphysema is often confused with asthma, but it’s important to get a correct diagnosis due to the degenerative nature of emphysema.
The best way to tell if you have either emphysema or asthma is to seek a professional diagnosis and help. So, don’t hesitate to contact the Internal Medicine Diagnostic Center, as we can effectively diagnose emphysema and start treatment. Schedule an appointment by dialing (281) 252-8600.