A Closer Look at Asthma and COPD U nderstanding R espiratory D isease
Though there is a medical difference between asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the symptoms can be strikingly similar. Generally, the first symptom a person notices is shortness of breath. But airway hyper- responsiveness is another common symptom that shows up early in COPD as well as asthma. Airway hyper-responsiveness is a condition in which the airways become highly sensitive to chemical inhalants and other airborne particles. Comorbidities are traits that are also frequently shared between COPD and asthma. A comorbidity is an illness or condition that develops in addition to the chief disease. Here are some comorbidities regularly shared by asthma and COPD.
precautions to avoid them. Developing a good awareness of personal breathing patterns in order to be aware of how well your daily medication is working and to quickly recognize the onset of an asthma attack is also critical.
Here are some medically based treatments for asthma.
• Allergy medication • Allergy shots (immunotherapy) • Bronchial thermoplasty • Bronchodilators
• Inhalers • Oral and intravenous corticosteroids • Stem cell therapy
Another difference between asthma and COPD is that COPD is progressive and lifelong, while asthma is not necessarily so. Childhood asthma may go away over time, though most people who have asthma will need to manage it throughout their lives. Whether the diagnosis is for COPD or asthma, the goal of any treatment is the management of symptoms in order to help the patient live an active and healthy life. Likewise, treatment should also aim to keep the disease from worsening. Next month, in our final examination of asthma and COPD, we will discuss effective ways people are treating these conditions.
• High blood pressure • Impaired mobility
• Migraine • Depression • Stomach ulcers • Cancer
• Insomnia • Sinusitis
Both COPD and asthma are long-term medical conditions. As with COPD, asthma is manageable with the right therapy or treatment. But the difference between asthma and COPD requires approaches that are specific to each disease.
Among the treatments for asthma is to educate the patient on how to recognize asthmatic triggers and how to take
SWEET AND ZESTY DETOX SALAD
Ingredients
For the Salad •
3 cups chopped kale leaves 2 cups chopped broccoli florets 2 cups chopped red cabbage 1 cup matchstick carrots 1 cup chopped cilantro 1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds 1/3 cup sliced green onions
For the Dressing •
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1 large carrot, roughly chopped 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger
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1 tablespoon honey
1 diced avocado
1 tablespoon white miso 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
1. To make the salad, add all ingredients to a large bowl; toss to combine. 2. To make the dressing, add all
smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper or add extra honey for a sweeter taste. 3. Drizzle dressing over salad and serve immediately.
ingredients to a blender or food processor. Pulse until
Recipe inspired by GimmeSomeOven.com.
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