Asthma-COPD Overlap

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are two of the most common obstructive airway conditions seen by clinicians. Asthma affects over 25 million Americans, and COPD affects about 15 million. Another 24 million persons in the United States have signs of deteriorated lung function, indicating that COPD is underdiagnosed. Breathing is difficult with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. In reality, they have a lot in common. They are, however, two distinct lung illnesses. When people have symptoms of both asthma and COPD, they're often diagnosed with asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS). ACOS is not a separate condition; rather, it is a tool for doctors to recognise the combination of symptoms and choose the best treatment plan for patients. At the extremes of age, the difference between asthma and COPD is usually most evident to the clinician. Asthma usually appears in childhood and is characterised by recurring chest tightness, cough, wheeze, and dyspnea, as well as a link to atopic illnesses. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) usually appears later in life, is subtle, with productive cough and dyspnea as the most common symptoms, and is linked to tobacco use. Furthermore, asthma is marked by reversible intermittent airflow obstruction, but COPD is marked by continuous and irreversible airflow obstruction.