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Bronchospastic Component with COPD

06/24/2011

Question:

I am 58 yrs old, never smoked, and I have just been diagnosed with moderate COPD with bronchospastic component? Please advise what is bronchospastic component? I have been treated for asthma all my life. Is this related?

Answer:

Thanks for your question. Asthma and COPD both show airflow obstruction on pulmonary function testing. Asthma is usually “reversible” meaning that if the lung function is low and a bronchodilator (inhaler) is given, the lung function will return to normal. However, some people with asthma (usually patients with more severe asthma or who have had asthma for a long time) won’t have a complete response on lung function testing. COPD either has “no response” to bronchodilator or only a “partial response”. I would assume the bronchospastic component you are asking about means you had lung function testing with low lung function and partial response after inhalers. Because asthma and COPD can both have this finding, you should see your primary doctor or a pulmonologist to clarify.

For more information:

Go to the COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) health topic.