ASTHMA-COPD OVERLAP SYNDROME

COPD stands for “chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.” Asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) includes COPD, although they are not the same set of diseases. ACOS is defined as persistent airflow obstruction with features of asthma. ACOS is diagnosed when a patient has the symptoms of both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It can be difficult to tell the difference between COPD and ACOS. People with ACOS have reduced lung function and will experience more frequent and more severe asthma and COPD symptoms than a person who has only asthma or COPD. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, wheezing, frequent coughing and shortness of breath, excessive mucus, and chronic tiredness. There is no cure for ACOS, but it can be managed with medications.

P.S. To determine whether a breathing disorder is asthma, COPD, or ACOS, an asthma specialist will ask a series of questions and take a chest X-ray or perform a CT scan.

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