What is the difference (if any) between Asthma and Emphysema?

Answer 1

HUGE difference. To state it easily, asthma is a disease that causes inflammation of the mucosa of the airway and is treatable with inhalants like albuterol and atrovent which reduce bronchospasm. Emphysema is a disease that effects the alveoli, air sacs, if you will, and is not curable. It stretches the alveoli out and makes no longer usable for air exchange. The alveoli will retain a portion of the carbon dioxide that occurs in normal gas exchange and stay overstretched even during exhalation. Okay, let me back track a second here. Alveoli open during inspiration and retract during exhalation, forcing air in and out in a way, and although the alveoli remain slightly open all the time, (unless you have atelectasis), with emphysema, the alveoli remain wide open all the time and will not permit oxygen to be exchanged in the capillaries because the carbon dioxide is already there. The alveoli go from the size of a pea to the size of a grape, if you need a visual.

Needless to say there is a hugggggge difference. Asthma is much less serious and can flare up at times but if treated and maintained, will stay dormant and not bother you. Emphysema is there all the time, always a problem, even with all the treatment, which can include bronchodialators, steroids and antibiotics, and will never lay dormant.

Hope this was helpful.

Answer 2

Asthma is airway constriction, emphysema is the loss of elasticity in the lungs. With asthma it becomes hard to breath due to the airways constriction too small. Emphysema there is no more elastic recoil left to the lungs so exhale less than u inhaled and the remaining air becomes trapped in the lungs. The more air that becomes trapped the less elastic recoil the more distended the lung permanently become. Another major difference is that sometimes Asthma can improve over time, but emphysema only worsens and can never improve.

Answer 3

Not a whole lot, since both involve difficulty in lung function. But asthma is usually a one attack at a time thing, while emphysema is a chronic, in other words all the time, thing. Asthma can be treated and the attack will go away, but sometimes you need to continue treatment to keep it away. The symptoms of emphysema can be managed to a certain extent, but it will not go away and will get worse over time until death.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

Emphysema is a respiratory disease in which millions of the lungs' tiny air sacs (alveoli) stretch out of shape or rupture. As these thin, fragile air sacs become damaged or destroyed, the lungs lose their natural elasticity and are unable to empty easily. Emphysema is a progressive disease, which means it continues to get worse. As the condition progresses, the lungs also lose their ability to absorb oxygen and release carbon dioxide. Breathing becomes more difficult, and a person feels easily short of breath, like he or she is not getting enough air.

An asthma attack occurs when the airways become inflamed in response to a trigger, such as dust, mold, pets, exercise, or cold weather. However, some attacks start for no apparent reason. Triggers may inflame the airways to the lungs, allowing disease-fighting cells to accumulate and causing swelling in the lungs. In addition, the airways may become blocked or obstructed when the muscles surrounding the lungs tighten or go into spasm. This keeps air from circulating freely in the lungs. Or, mucus may clog and narrow the airways in the lungs, making breathing even more difficult.

Answer 6

Asthma is reversible airway disease, which means you can take medications and avoid the symptoms. But Emphysema is not reversible. It usually is caused due to smoking. Once you damage your alveoli, it causes scar tissue and it can never be fixed. This is why no one should smoke, Asthma on the other hand is hyperreactivity of your airways. Your breathing airways are too sensitive and reactive to slight changes.

Answer 7

Simply put, the lung has two major parts - the tubes that take in the air into the lungs and the air sacs that surround the tubes. Asthma is a disease of the tubes and Emphysema is a disease of the air sacs.

Answer 8

Simple.
Asthma is a obstructive disorder while emphysema is a restrictive disorder.
Obstructive means that the bronchi (airway) is narrowed, causing air to be difficult in entry and exit to the lungs.
Restrictive means that the lungs are not capable of inhaling to its maximum. Something like you are being tied up or during pregnancy that you can inhale deeply.

Answer 9

My brother is an asthmatic and after ten years his asthma has shown no sign of improving. He has been to several doctors but they didn't help much.

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Answer 10

Asthma is a disease that can be genetic but emphysema is often caused by smoking.