{"id":23001,"date":"2021-03-18T13:00:12","date_gmt":"2021-03-18T17:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=23001"},"modified":"2025-10-06T14:04:56","modified_gmt":"2025-10-06T18:04:56","slug":"copd-vs-asthma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/copd-vs-asthma\/","title":{"rendered":"COPD vs. asthma: Which is worse?"},"content":{"rendered":"

COPD vs. asthma causes<\/a> | Prevalence<\/a> | Symptoms<\/a> | Diagnosis<\/a> | Treatments<\/a> | Risk factors<\/a> | Prevention<\/a> | When to see a doctor<\/a> | FAQs<\/a> | Resources<\/a><\/p>\n

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are diseases of the lung that have a lot in common, but they also have key differences. Both conditions have similar symptoms caused by swelling of the airways or airway obstruction. Airflow limitation commonly results in breathing difficulties, coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Symptoms from asthma, triggered by allergens or exercise, come and go. COPD symptoms that can be caused by long-term smoking or prolonged exposure to chemical irritants are persistent. With COPD, chronic inflammation results in irreversible damage to the tissues lining the airways as well as pathological changes to the lung.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Though both diseases are chronic, COPD is a progressive condition, meaning symptoms are constant and the condition gets worse over time. With asthma, measures can be taken to control the disorder and, when managed properly, it\u2019s possible not to experience any symptoms for extended periods of time. It\u2019s important to distinguish COPD from asthma to determine the best course of treatment. Let\u2019s investigate the similarities and differences between asthma and COPD.<\/span><\/p>\n

Causes<\/span><\/h2>\n

COPD<\/span><\/h3>\n

According to the <\/span>American Lung Association<\/span><\/a>, 85% to 90% of COPD is caused by smoking. The toxins in cigarettes weaken the ability of the lungs to fight infection, constrict the air passages, cause inflammation and swelling, and destroy the tiny air sacs in the lungs, called alveoli. Environmental exposure to chemical irritants and toxins, including air pollution, can also cause COPD. A small number of cases can be attributed to a genetic condition that inhibits the body\u2019s production of the lung-protecting Alpha-1 protein. This is called alpha-1-deficiency-related emphysema.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are two types of COPD: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. In both conditions, the lung\u2019s airways thicken and become inflamed, causing tissues to die. When this happens, the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen within the body\u2019s tissues decreases, causing shortness of breath and other complications. There\u2019s no cure for COPD, but when caught early, it can be managed with a multifaceted approach to treatment. Here are the conditions in more detail:<\/span><\/p>\n