Dear Dr. White: I am only 37 years old, too young to be
diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), but
that’s what the doctor told me yesterday. I thought it was
asthma because my symptoms are almost exactly like my husband
and 9-year-old son, both of whom have asthma. COPD happens to
old people, doesn’t it? I have only smoked for 20 years. I
presently manage a restaurant and just can’t be coughing like
this. I know I should quit smoking and I am going to try, but
COPD? Help! C.G., Chevy Chase, MD Smoking-related chronic
obstructive lung disease (COPD) can cause a constellation of
symptoms very similar to asthma, including cough, wheeze,
increased airway mucus production, and shortness of breath. Both
disorders are characterized by blockage of the airways, but in
asthma the blockage is intermittent and reversible, while in
COPD the blockage is fixed. Although the symptoms are similar,
the underlying problems are different. Smoking causes
progressive damage to the airway tissue that is irreve