COPD vs. asthma | COPD – exercises from physiotherapy

COPD vs. asthma

COPD as well as asthma are both respiratory diseases, some of which can be associated with very similar symptoms. Nevertheless, there are some very large characteristic differences that clearly distinguish the two diseases. COPD is caused in the majority of cases by smoking, the disease is a chronic bronchitis.

Asthma, on the other hand, is caused by a hypersensitivity of the bronchial tubes, which is either allergic or caused by stress. It is therefore a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. While COPD is a slowly worsening disease that progresses in stages, the severity of asthma is variable and can be well controlled with medication.

A typical feature of asthma, for example, is that the narrowing of the bronchi is reversible (reversible) and the hyperreactivity of the bronchi is variable. As a result, each asthma attack can differ from the other in form and severity. While asthma often occurs for the first time in adolescence, COPD is a disease that tends to develop in adulthood. Both COPD and asthma are considered so far as incurable and are connected for the concerning partly with strong restrictions in the everyday life. Thanks to an extensive drug and conservative therapy, however, many patients can be given back some quality of life and independence.

Summary

Overall, targeted exercises, whether in individual or group therapy, form an important component of the therapy of COPD. If the exercises are followed well and performed regularly, they can have a positive influence on the disease. Patients regain a bit of quality of life, as the various exercises and breathing techniques learned enable them to regain a bit of control over their own body in the event of relapses or acute shortness of breath.

The training of the respiratory assistance muscles also supports the maintenance of lung function. In many cases, this can slow down the progression of the disease.