Quiz: Do I Have COPD or Asthma?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma can both cause breathing problems and a cough. That’s why it can be hard to tell them apart. But they do have some differences. Asthma usually starts in childhood, and symptoms come and go. Meanwhile, COPD often shows up later in life and causes daily symptoms. 

To get diagnosed with asthma or COPD, you’ll have to talk with a healthcare professional. You may also need an X-ray, CT scan, and breathing tests. But if you’re wondering whether to get checked, this quiz is a good place to start.

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Written by:

Sarah Gupta, MD

Sarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

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