Asthma & COPD: Warning, risk of confusion!

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Munichcoughing, wheezing, expectoration, shortness of breath - asthma and COPD - the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - can be confused with each other. This is especially true in older patients. However, the correct diagnosis is important because the two lung diseases have to be treated very differently.

About 50 percent of older lung patients suffer from complaints that can be attributed to both diseases. And the older the patient, the more the symptoms overlap. This makes it difficult for the treating physicians to make a correct diagnosis, warn researchers from the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) in a lecture at their annual meeting.

Asthma as a child, COPD from 40

In order to be able to make the correct diagnosis and to be able to choose a suitable treatment method, doctors should ask about the medical history, advises allergy specialist William Busse from the ACAAI. Asthma is an over-sensitivity of the lungs that often begins in childhood and adolescence. Certain substances such as pollen, house dust mites or animal hair trigger inflammation in the respiratory system. COPD, on the other hand, is a chronic lung disease that is mainly caused by years of smoking. COPD therefore usually only shows up after the age of 40.

Asthma medication does not help against COPD

In both diseases, so-called bronchodilators are used, which widen the airways. In order to keep severe asthma at bay, sprays or powders containing cortisone are also necessary, which inhibit inflammation in the lungs. They don't help against COPD - they may even cause harm, says Michael Foggs, President of the ACAAI.

According to the Robert Koch Institute, around ten to 15 percent of children and five to seven percent of adults in Germany suffer from asthma. According to the German Respiratory League, around three to five million Germans are affected by COPD. (vv)

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