Breathing conditions affect a vast number of individuals and at times can be life threatening. It is important to be aware of the varying types and know the distinctions that set them apart. COPD and emphysema are often referred to interchangeably, but they are not the same condition. It is important to understand the differences that exist between COPD and emphysema, but first you must know what each term means.
What Is Emphysema?
These two terms are often misconstrued because emphysema is a type of COPD. This condition results in the enlargement of lung airways and it also involves the breakdown of the walls that line the alveoli. This is the place where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged, which can cause immense breathing problems in individuals with this condition. This is a permanent lung disease that progresses over time and normally only worsens.
What Is COPD?
COPD is used to describe any lung disease that gets more severe over time and makes breathing more difficult. This means that emphysema is a type of COPD, but it is not the only one in existence. Chronic bronchitis is another condition that falls into this classification. However, all COPD conditions involve obstruction of the airways that are used to carry air in and out. This makes breathing difficult and the symptoms of all COPD conditions are largely similar. The symptoms include shortness of breath that can make it impossible to complete even the most basic tasks.
What Is The Difference?
COPD involves obtaining irreversible changes to your lungs that make breathing impaired or more difficult. Almost all COPD conditions worsen with time and are permanent, because management is the only real form of treatment. Emphysema is just a type of COPD that is more specifically defined. Emphysema is a condition that adversely affects the alveoli prominently and make breathing impaired in the process. So when you are talking about COPD you may or may not be talking about emphysema.
Statistics That Matter
COPD is such an important condition, because it is a leading killer in the entire United States. It is recognized as the third leading cause of death and is a permanent condition that only worsens over time. About 120,000 individuals in the United States alone die from COPD every year and right now more than 12 million people are living with this disease. Not all individuals that have COPD are affected by emphysema, but some of them are.
