LASIK Surgery Health Chat: Tuesday, December 15th 5:00-6:00 PM Eastern. Free live Q&A with Dr. Omar E Awad. Ask your question in advance!
Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Any difference?
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Sep 05, 2002 12:00AM
, Sep 05, 2002 12:00AM
The terms COPD and Chronic Lung Disease are often used interchangeably but there is a difference.
The term COPD is an abbreviation for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. It should be used to describe the chronic lung disease linked with cigarette smoking and worsened by contact with industrial dusts and other toxins. It is a disease that worsens over time. There is relatively irreversible obstruction of airflow and actual destruction of lung. This is also called emphysema.
When the term chronic lung disease is used in the generic sense, it refers to lung disease of any cause that is chronic rather than acute. A chronic lung disease is treated on an ongoing basis to help the symptoms, but will not go away. An acute lung disease like pneumonia is treated until it goes away.
Asthma is a special case. While asthma is definitely chronic, it would never be referred to as chronic lung disease.
The term COPD is an abbreviation for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. It should be used to describe the chronic lung disease linked with cigarette smoking and worsened by contact with industrial dusts and other toxins. It is a disease that worsens over time. There is relatively irreversible obstruction of airflow and actual destruction of lung. This is also called emphysema.
When the term chronic lung disease is used in the generic sense, it refers to lung disease of any cause that is chronic rather than acute. A chronic lung disease is treated on an ongoing basis to help the symptoms, but will not go away. An acute lung disease like pneumonia is treated until it goes away.
Asthma is a special case. While asthma is definitely chronic, it would never be referred to as chronic lung disease.
