I know this question has been covered with respect to individual cases, however, I would like to know, in more general terms, how COPD is distinguished from asthma through symptoms alone.
I am still waiting for tests that may lead to a formal diagnosis, and I have been experiencing an increase in breathlessness recently. My son has asthma and he says that my symptoms seem very similar to his when his asthma is poorly controlled (tightness in the chest, difficulty getting a breath, some mild pain in the chest).
Yet, with my son, there is usually a trigger (a dusty environment, a cold or virus and so on). There does not seem to be an identifiable, consistent trigger in my case. Furthermore, although my inhaler is helpful, it does not eliminate the symptoms. The feeling of being 'full' in the chest and being slightly breathless is almost always there for me. Yet, my son can and does go for long periods being asymptomatic.
I may have already answered some of my question, however, is there anything else (apart from those elusive tests) that would indicate what is causing the breathlessness and other symptoms?
Thanks
Asthma
COPD? 
Misdiagnosed with COPD
COPD
Severe Eosinophilic Asthma
