Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Introduction:
Asthma is a chronic condition where the airways become inflamed and narrow. COPD is a progressive lung disease (often from smoking) that causes breathing difficulty.
Symptoms:
Persistent cough, wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath—especially during physical activity or at night.
Who it affects:
Asthma often begins in childhood or early adulthood. COPD mainly affects older adults, especially smokers or those exposed to pollutants.
Diagnosis:
• Pulmonary function tests (spirometry)
• Chest X-rays
• Oxygen saturation tests