COPD vs Asthma
Asthma and COPD are both long-term lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties, but they differ in how they develop and progress. Asthma often begins in childhood, but can happen at any age, and causes breathing problems that can usually be well controlled with treatment. COPD, by contrast, typically affects older adults, often due to smoking, and causes gradual, long-term damage to the lungs, though symptoms can be managed.1,2
What do asthma and COPD have in common?1–4
COPD & Asthma
Both are lung diseases where the airways can become narrow making breathing difficult. 1,2
Both can cause coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, which tend to come and go for asthma but usually get worse over time with COPD.1,2
Both may have ‘triggers’ that make it worse or cause flare ups e.g. smoking or vaping, air pollution and allergies, and respiratory infections.3,4
What are the usual features between asthma and COPD?3–7
COPD
Asthma
Usually starts in older adults (>40 years old)
Often starts in childhood but can occur at any age
Causes continuous airway problems
May be normal between symptoms
Generally progresses slowly over years despite treatment
Often improves spontaneously or with treatment, but can result in permanent airway limitations
Exacerbations (flare ups) can be reduced with treatment
Exacerbations can occur, but the risk of exacerbations can be considerably reduced with treatment
Flare-ups can be caused by a number of things, including infections, pollution and allergies, smoking and vaping, and hot or cold weather.
Flare-ups can be caused by a number of things, including infections, pollution and allergies, exercise, smoking and vaping, and hot or cold weather.
Cough is often with phlegm (productive)
Cough is often dry (non-productive)
COPD
Usually starts in older adults (>40 years old)
Causes continuous airway problems
Generally progresses slowly over years despite treatment
Exacerbations (flare ups) can be reduced with treatment
Flare-ups can be caused by a number of things, including infections, pollution and allergies, smoking and vaping, and hot or cold weather.
Cough is often with phlegm (productive)
Asthma
Often starts in childhood but can occur at any age
May be normal between symptoms
Often improves spontaneously or with treatment, but can result in permanent airway limitations
Exacerbations can occur, but the risk of exacerbations can be considerably reduced with treatment
Flare-ups can be caused by a number of things, including infections, pollution and allergies, exercise, smoking and vaping, and hot or cold weather.
Cough is often dry (non-productive)
Early detection of asthma and COPD is important to ensure that you receive early primary prevention measures.8
In your COPD journey, your healthcare team will discuss treatment options with you and provide you with a self-management plan. This will help you manage and understand your condition with guidance and support from professionals when you need it.9,10
For more information about the treatment of COPD, click below.
Abbreviations:
ACOS, asthma COPD overlap syndrome; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
References:
- NHS. Asthma. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/asthma. Accessed November 2025.
- NHS. COPD. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd. Accessed November 2025.
- Asthma + Lung UK. What is a COPD flare-up? Available at: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/copd-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/managing-copd-flare-ups. Accessed November 2025.
- Asthma + Lung UK. What are asthma triggers? Available at https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/asthma/asthma-triggers/understanding-asthma-triggers. Accessed November 2025.
- Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. Asthma, COPD, and Asthma-COPD overlap Syndrome. Available at https://goldcopd.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/GOLD_ACOS_2015.pdf. Accessed November 2025.
- NHS. Symptoms (COPD). Available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd/symptoms/. Accessed November 2025.
- Asthma + Lung UK. Symptoms of asthma. Available at https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/asthma/symptoms-asthma. Accessed November 2025.
- NHS England. NHS prevention programme – respiratory high impact interventions. Available at https://www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/prevention/secondary-prevention/respiratory-high-impact-interventions/. Accessed November 2025.
- Asthma + Lung UK. Your COPD self-management plan. Available at https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/copd-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/your-copd-self-management-plan. Accessed November 2025.
- NHS. Treatment (COPD). Available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd/treatment/. Accessed November 2025.