Diagnosis Medical professionals employ various diagnostic methods to differentiate between asthma and COPD:

• Physical Examination: Including assessment of symptoms, family medical history, smoking exposure, and occupational hazards.
• Spirometry: Measures lung function by analyzing airflow speed and volume.
• Bronchodilator Test: Assesses lung function before and after administering bronchodilator medication to detect asthma.
• Challenge Test: Evaluates airway responsiveness to triggers such as scents or methacholine inhalation.
• Chest X-Ray: Detects lung congestion or abnormalities.
• Arterial Blood Gas Test: Assesses blood oxygen levels, particularly crucial in COPD diagnosis.
  
  

Treatment for Asthma Treatment for asthma typically involves two main categories of medication:

• Quick-Relief Medications: Promptly alleviate symptoms during asthma attacks, including short-acting beta-agonists and anticholinergics.
• Long-Term Medications: Suppress inflammation and prevent symptoms’ recurrence, such as corticosteroids, long-acting beta-agonists, anti-inflammatory drugs, leukotriene modifiers, and allergy shots.
  
  

Treatment for COPD Management of COPD aims to alleviate symptoms and slow disease progression:

• Medications: Including bronchodilators, phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitors, and antibiotics to manage symptoms and prevent exacerbations.
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Offers exercise training, dietary guidance, and lifestyle strategies to enhance COPD management.
• Supplemental Oxygen Therapy: Provides additional oxygen to alleviate breathing difficulties.
• Surgery: Surgical interventions, such as lung volume reduction surgery, may be considered to remove damaged lung tissue and improve lung function.