Although chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) seems to be a single illness, it is really an umbrella term for two diseases: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. While they have some similarities, and it is conceivable to have both, they have unique features.
Both ailments are characterized by chest tightness, coughing, exhaustion, shortness of breath, and wheezing, but emphysema and bronchitis have distinct symptoms, and how the diseases manifest themselves varies from person to person. Experts like Jared Braunstein, D.O., an internist at the Medical Offices of Manhattan, discuss the parallels and distinctions between these two illnesses, as well as treatment options for each. Read the article.
