Difference Between COPD and Emphysema

COPD vs Emphysema

Lung problems are a major concern among males and smokers not only in Asian countries but also around the globe. This is primarily due to environmental factors and lifestyle. Men are always those who are getting lung problems because they are the ones who are smoking heavily. They also smoke at a young age until they grow old; so do not ask why men always contract lung diseases.

Two of the most common lung diseases besides lung cancer and tuberculosis are COPD and emphysema. Let us examine the differences between both diseases.

COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is a group of lung diseases. COPD is composed of emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Emphysema, on the other hand, is a single lung disease. So both diseases are different at this point.

Emphysema, or commonly known as pink puffers among medical professionals, is a lung disease in which lung tissues called alveoli are destroyed; thus, there is shortness of breathing. In emphysema, since lung tissues are being destroyed, carbon dioxide is being retained in the lungs. Thus, the person is having a hard time expelling carbon dioxide. They are called pink puffers because of the retained carbon dioxide in the body.

COPD is being diagnosed for people who are having either emphysema or chronic bronchitis, or it can even be both. The main cause of COPD is smoking. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis is also caused by cigarette smoking. Chronic bronchitis under COPD is another lung disease. This lung disease is commonly known as blue bloaters among respiratory therapists, respirologists, and other health care professionals. It is a lung disease in which there is chronic inflammation of the bronchi. There is also coughing with sputum for two consecutive years occurring twice a year. They are called blue bloaters because oxygen is retained in their lungs. People who have chronic bronchitis are having a difficult time expelling oxygen.

Both COPD and emphysema are treatable, but there are no cures for the diseases. The signs and symptoms are not pleasing to someone who has it. Shortness of breath is present in both diseases. There is also fatigue, wheezing, coughing, chest pain, and malaise. This is due to obstructed oxygen circulation around the body. Thus, the major organs are deprived of oxygen. Antibiotics and bronchodilators are the usual choice of treatment together with smoking cessation.

COPD and emphysema are both preventable. We should just avoid cigarette smoking for this is the number one cause of these said diseases.

Summary:

COPD is a group of lung diseases including chronic bronchitis and emphysema while emphysema alone is a sole lung disease.
COPD is diagnosed in a patient with either bronchitis or emphysema or patients having both diseases at the same time. Emphysema is diagnosed in people who have lung tissues which have already collapsed.

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