Discussions
Discussions
Is Bronchiectasis the same as COPD?
I am just beginning to learn about bronchiectasis and engage in the bronch and NTM community. Is Bronchiectasis the same as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?
Replies
I would like to know this as well and have emailed my doctor's office. I don't think they are the same because my doc said I have bronchiectasis and Obstructive Lung Disease. I asked him if OLD is the same as COPD.
Copd is two or more lung diseases as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Some are including that irreversible asthma and bronchiectasis are under that term. Bronchiectasis is damaged airways due to a lot of infections. Thats how I explain it.
From what I understand, Kandy is right... COPD includes conditions like chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Bronchiectasis is a chronic condition and is frequently associated with airway obstruction, so it is sometimes considered to fall under the COPD umbrella. Bronchiectasis is less often associated with smoking and more frequently associated with chronic and recurring airway infections.
Thank you Kandy! I appreciate this information.
I was told COPD is not the same as Bronchiectasis so I scratched out COPD on my medical alert bracelet and had Bronchiectasis engraved on it. (I wear a bracelet as I am diabetic
To be honest I'm not sure if that is correct or not but I don't like to say I have COPD because people ask "Oh did you smoke" I have never smoked.
I know ppl that have bronchiectasis tend to have asthma or copd also .
I have had asthma since I was 7. good control of it. I don't know if it is interacting with my Bronchietasis. Dr. refers to my condition as asthma/bronchiectasis.
Bronchiectasis is caused by consistent inflammation and/or infection in the lungs whereas most COPD conditions result from smoking, allergies, or pollution. Bronchiectasis causes airways to slowly lose their ability to clear out mucus, which makes your respiratory system more vulnerable to infection. Both are progressive lung diseases.
Have a listen to Episode 13 of the Podcast series.
Comments
YouTube video on the overlap and differences with Dr Maselli: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXudBn1SHZI
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