Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects

Difference between asthma and emphysema

Asthma vs emphysema

Asthma is defined as an inflammatory disease of the airways of lungs producing a reversible obstruction due to spasmodic constriction of the airways. Emphysema is a disease of the lung tissue, to be precise the lung alveoli (air sacs) present at the end of the bronchial tubes. Emphysema results from the destruction of these alveoli and thus, presents as an irreversible pathology.

Asthma before and after

Asthma is a condition characterized by cough, wheezing and breathlessness. Exacerbations and remissions are the rule. A transient spasmodic obstruction is produced due to an exciting/triggering agent that either presents from the external environment or is present in the body like an infection. Asthma is thus, an allergic response, an exaggerated response of the body to a seemingly harmless foreign agent. Emphysema is a chronic lung disease resulting from the destruction of the alveolar sacs due to smoking for long periods of time or due to alpha-1 antitrypsin enzyme deficiency. It causes a slow and gradual reduction in the alveoli. Alveoli are the terminal air sacs enabling exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

The first symptom of asthma will be wheezing caused due to a sudden narrowing of the bronchial tubes and the whistling sound produced by the gush of air passing through the narrow tubes. In emphysema, the first symptom will be breathlessness on heavy exertion which will slowly progress to breathlessness on slightest exertion. This symptom is the hallmark of emphysema as the air exchange which could have been possible is reduced as the alveoli number has reduced. Other symptoms of emphysema are persistent cough with production of phlegm, wheezing or crepitations, chest pain and all symptoms get worse with age. Signs to be noticed in a person with emphysema are clubbing of finger nails, polycythemia (excessive red blood cells) to compensate for the lack of oxygen in the body and cyanosis (blue nails and lips) in extreme cases.

Asthma patients have breathlessness on account of wheezing, raised eosinophil counts as there is an allergic component. The symptoms are instantly relieved by using bronchodilators which dilate the narrow lumen of the tubes. On X-ray, an asthmatic person will not have any abnormality but a person with emphysema will have dark shadows of a hyper inflated lung with a narrowed heart region between the two lung fields. The emphysematous lungs tend to enlarge the chest of the patient as they do not deflate completely even after deep exhalation. The patients are commonly referred to as having a ‘barrel chest’. The breathing is labored and use of accessory muscles is visible as the accessory respiratory muscles get fatigued.

Blood tests for asthma will show raised eosinophils whereas blood tests for emphysema will show leucocytosis (both are forms of elevated white blood cells).

Treatment of asthma includes avoiding exposure to allergic agents, used of bronchodilators and nebulization in cases of a severe acute episode. Treatment of emphysema includes quitting smoking immediately which will drastically reduce the pace of damage, use of acute or long term bronchodilators, steroids for reducing exacerbations and antibiotics to prevent infection. Mucolytic agents are used to reduce cough. Nasal oxygen in times of acute distress will relieve the patient as there is persistent hypoxia in these patients.

Asthmatic episodes will reduce over time with proper medications but emphysema will deteriorate with age and time.

Summary: Asthma is called as a reversible obstructive lung disease whereas emphysema is called as a restrictive lung disease as air inflow and outflow are limited. Asthma manifests as episodic, intermittent cough with phlegm, wheezing and breathing difficulties. Emphysema is characterized by progressive alveolar destruction leading to worsening cough, phlegm production and breathlessness.

Sharing is caring!


Search DifferenceBetween.net :




Email This Post Email This Post : If you like this article or our site. Please spread the word. Share it with your friends/family.


3 Comments

  1. I’m 59 years old and female. I was diagnosed a couple of months ago with COPD and I was beyond scared! My lung function test indicated 49% capacity. After having had flu a year ago, the shortness of breath, coughing and chest pains continued even after being treated with antibiotics. I’ve been smoking two packs a day for 36 years. Being born without a sternum caused my ribs to be curled in just one inch away from my spine, resulting to underdeveloped lungs. At age 34 I had surgery and it was fixed. Unfortunately my smoking just caused more damage to my already under developed lungs. The problem was having is that I enjoy smoking and don’t want to give up! Have tried twice before and nearly went crazy and don’t want to go through that again. I saw the fear in my husband and children’s eyes when I told them about my condition then they start to find solution on their own to help my condition.I am an 59 now with moderately severe COPD emphysema which I know was from my years of smoking. I started smoking as a teen in high school when smoking was socially acceptable. I remember when smoking was permitted in hospitals. It was not known then how dangerous cigarettes were for us, and it seemed everybody smoked, i was able to get rid of my COPD lung condition through the help of total cure herbal foundation my husband bought, totalcureherbsfoundation .c om has the right herbal formula to help you get rid and repair any lung conditions and cure you totally. I wish anybody who starts smoking at a young age would realize what will eventually happen to their bodies if they continue that vile habit throughout their lives.

  2. Rhonda S.’s COPD made her feel short of breath and like she was constantly dragging. While her inhalers helped some, she just didn’t feel like herself anymore.
    After having life-threatening pneumonia, she knew something had to change. A friend of hers mentioned multivitamin herbal formula restoration treatment, so Rhonda did
    some research and decided to receive treatment at the multivitamin herbal cure. “I started to feel better almost right away,” Rhonda said.
    And, along with feeling better, she began to do things she couldn’t do before treatment. Now, Rhonda can take showers, work in her flower garden, and she enjoys having more energy. It’s with a great deal of hope, Rhonda says, “I feel more like myself.”
    Like Rhonda, you can breathe easier and bring normal life back within reach. If you or someone you love has a chronic lung disease and would like more information, contact them visit their website multivitamincare org

  3. In 2015, my best friend Linda was diagnosed with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during a hospital visit, and that diagnosis would change her life in many ways. She had to use supplemental herbal formulas, and she wasn’t able to walk 10 feet down the hall or do routine chores like cooking and cleaning.
    After she found out about multivitamincare.org , Linda decided to take a chance on the herbal cure. About 4 weeks after treatment, she got up to do something, and she felt so good that she moved on to another task. Several hours later, Linda realized that she’d been doing all these tasks without any oxygen at all. She’s also happy to be able to talk to people on the phone without a lot of huffing and puffing. These days, she can once again participate in one of her favorite activities: fishing on her pontoon boat. Linda wants other people with COPD to know, “multivitamincare.org  is here. Don’t give up!”

Leave a Response

Please note: comment moderation is enabled and may delay your comment. There is no need to resubmit your comment.

Articles on DifferenceBetween.net are general information, and are not intended to substitute for professional advice. The information is "AS IS", "WITH ALL FAULTS". User assumes all risk of use, damage, or injury. You agree that we have no liability for any damages.


See more about : ,
Protected by Copyscape Plagiarism Finder