COPD vs. Pulmonary Fibrosis

Introduction

Shortness of breath is a common symptom in both the chronic conditions of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and pulmonary fibrosis. However, both conditions cause different types of damage to the lungs. The causes for the two conditions are also different. In many patients, the symptoms can overlap, and the diagnosis can be confusing. Some experts believe that a person can have both conditions simultaneously.

What Is COPD?

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a prevalent and curable illness characterized by tissue destruction and progressive airflow limitation. There can be structural changes to the lung tissues due to chronic inflammation resulting from prolonged exposure to substances like cigarette smoke. The constant exposure to such irritations causes chronic inflammation, causing narrowing of the airways and reduced lung recoil. Lung recoil is the ability of the lung to expand while inhaling and contract while exhaling. Cough, dyspnea (difficulty in breathing), and production of the sputum are the symptoms commonly seen. However, some patients might not show symptoms and respiratory failure as the disease worsens.

What Is Pulmonary Fibrosis?

Pulmonary fibrosis is a lung condition where the lungs have scarring from an unidentified source. The condition is usually progressive and has a poor prognosis in the long term. Progressive dyspnea and nonproductive cough (cough that does not produce sputum) are the characteristic features of the condition. The exact cause of the condition is still unknown. However, exposure to smoke, wood, dust, metal, and gastroesophageal reflux are thought to have increased the risk of getting the condition.

Both conditions can benefit from early diagnosis. Most patients with pulmonary fibrosis live for three to five years after the diagnosis of the condition, while others live longer. Treating the conditions early can help improve the patient’s quality of life. COPD is treatable, especially if diagnosed in the early days.

How Prevalent Is COPD and Pulmonary Fibrosis?

Pulmonary fibrosis is a relatively uncommon disease with changing diagnostic standards. Hence, its epidemiology is challenging to examine. The reported prevalence and incidence of pulmonary fibrosis can vary depending on the reporting methodologies. Pulmonary fibrosis is diagnosed more commonly in men than in women. It is generally associated with advanced years, usually seen in the sixties and seventies. It is very rarely seen in people less than fifty years old.

COPD is much more prevalent than pulmonary fibrosis. It is considered one of the major concerns in the U.S. According to the statistics by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about sixteen million people in the U.S. suffer from COPD. However, COPD may go undiagnosed, making the rates even higher. The studies by the CDC show that COPD is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S.

What Are the Risk Factors of COPD and Pulmonary Fibrosis?

Although the exact cause of pulmonary fibrosis is unknown, several risk factors are associated with the condition. They include:

• Smoking.

• Age: People older than sixty are usually associated with pulmonary fibrosis.

• Environmental Exposures: Exposure to pollution and other toxins increases the risk and probability of getting pulmonary fibrosis. People working with dust, fumes, smoke, etc., may have a higher risk of getting the disease. Farmers are one such category, according to studies.

• Sex: Men are at a higher risk when compared to women.

• Genetics: Having a family member with the condition increases the risk of getting the condition.

The risk factors in COPD are similar to those of pulmonary fibrosis. They include:

• Smoking: The majority of the people suffering from COPD have a long-term smoking history. Pipes, cigarettes, and cannabis are the various forms of smoking. Passive smoking or long-term exposure to second-hand smoke is also another risk factor. Patients with asthma and smoke have an increased risk of the condition.

• Age: Studies show that the people affected are at least forty years or older when diagnosed with the condition.

• Environmental Exposures: Studies show that people involved in gardening, agriculture, painting, and warehouse were at increased risk of the condition. These occupations expose people to more duct, smoke, chemicals, and fumes.

• Sex: In many areas of the world, men were found to have the condition more than women. However, recent studies show that women are at a higher risk of lung damage due to smoking than men.

• Genetics: Studies show that a rare genetic disorder called alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency can cause COPD. It is the reason in at least three to four percent of cases. There can be other genetic factors involved.

What Are the Symptoms of COPD and Pulmonary Fibrosis?

Both conditions have similar symptoms. They include:

• Shortness of Breath: Breathlessness or shortness of breath is common in both conditions. It progressively wore as the conditions advanced.

• Cough: Persistent cough is a symptom in both conditions. However, the cough in pulmonary fibrosis is a dry and hacking one. On the other hand, in COPD, the cough is productive, and wheezing is usually accompanied.

• Fatigue: Tiredness is another common symptom in both conditions. This is mainly because of the difficulty in getting oxygen into the blood and removing carbon dioxide from the blood.

• Changes in the Hands: Both conditions can cause changes in the fingertips. In pulmonary fibrosis, clubbing in the fingers can occur; in COPD, the finger beds and nails might become blue.

• Weight loss: This is another common symptom seen in both conditions. This is mainly due to the difficulty in having food.

• Chest Pain: Tightness in the chest and swelling in the feet and ankles are other common signs of these conditions.

How Are Both the Conditions Treated?

There are currently no standard treatment methodologies for both conditions. The treatments done mainly focus on relieving the symptoms. If the patient is a smoker, quitting is the first step towards recovery. Another measure includes removing or trying to limit pollutant exposure as much as possible. Appropriate medical assistance helps to prevent flare-ups and complications.

Conclusion

Both pulmonary fibrosis and COPD are life-threatening conditions. Diagnosing them in an early stage is the key to preventing complications. Once diagnosed, sticking to the treatment plan tailored for each person helps to improve the quality of life.