COPD:

This is a group name for both chronic bronchitis and emphysema. COPD is mostly caused by smoking and is a more serious disease because of the changes within the airway are much more difficult to treat than asthma. COPD's outcome is worse and in many cases leads to long term disability. As in asthma, the symptoms of COPD are shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing and an excess production of mucous.

Emphysema:

Some people just have emphysema without chronic bronchitis. Although the symptoms of emphysema and asthma are alike, it is different in that the disease causes irreversible damage to the lung tissue. Like COPD, emphysema is one that is caused by exposure to cigarette smoke and other environmental pollutants. There are, however, hereditary forms of the disease