Hi everyone! During my last check up, my asthma nurse said that bronchiectasis came under the umbrella of COPD. I replied that it didn't and was a separate condition. She wouldn't have it, and I didn't want to waste valuable appointment time arguing.
Is she right? I'd appreciate people's opinions on this.
Lizzie
To the best of my knowledge your asthma nurse is wrong. COPD and bronch are very different and require different specialist knowledge.
COPD is an umbrella term for emphysema and chronic bronchitis plus certain asthmas I believe.
I’m sure others will reply soon too. Xxxx
You know she isn't right! Its just too easy to generalise because its a lung condition. I don't understand how this mis- information is still accepted. In fact I find it a bit irritating. I happened to see a new young doctor just last week and he noticed on my health file I had bronchiectasis. We had a short conversation about the condition as his mother suffered with it too - hence his interest. He admitted he knew just a little about it before then but said that is why we have consultants who specialise! "We doctors know a little about a lot of conditions but have to refer a patient to the right person". He went on to explain he now had more interest in bronchiectasis since his mother's diagnosis and had done some research on the condition. He agreed that as a result he is now trying to raise awareness of these differences to colleagues and other health workers.Hopefully, it will eventually help us. Its taking a long time though!
Cheers and best wishes.
Easy put it all in one box...unfortunately, that is wrong.
She's so wrong . Bronchiectasis is a condition on its own and copd covers, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Definitely not as it's a separate lung condition, respiratory department confirmed it to me said its classed as non cystic fibrosis and on my travel insurance it has to go down as a separate condition
Hi, your asthma nurse is wrong as far as I am aware. My respiratory nurse has confirmed this as has my consultant but according to the Practice Manager at my surgery, Consultants do not understand Bronchiectasis, whereas apparently she does! For travel insurance purposes, my Consultant has written a letter to this effect. Hope this helps.
I too think she's wrong! Only recently (July) a consultant at Harefield tx clinic stated that copd was an umbrella term, which included emphysema and chronic bronchitis! Sometimes people hate to admit they're wrong. Send an email to the surgery.
I had to stop seeing the asthma nurse at my surgery as she hadnt got a clue about bronchiectasis and couldnt advise on anything. Sadly some really dont know enough about this condition x
She is wrong. However, this is what they have chosen to class it as for their convenience which leads to nurses and doctors believing it. Not much you can do about that.
Thank you everyone for your helpful replies. I'll take some information in to my asthma nurse next time I have to see her. She obviously needs to read up on it!!
She is right. COPD is emphysema, bronchiectasis and asthma plus some even nastier diseases like pneumoconiosis. Chronic bronchitis is often included too.
I have Bronchetisis and have it since I was 7 years old and now 75.
I have never been told it is the same as COPD
When I get a really bad cold it goes straight to my chest and have had Antibiotics over the years.
Hoping she is wrong
Christine
Per my Doc at Brigham and Women's Chest Clinic in Boston it falls under COPD. Was in hospital for a few days in October. Saw many doctors who referred to COPD and Bronchiectasis interchangeably. Treatment consistent at all times for disease . Treat or prevent infection. Does not matter to me. My doctor and the many I saw in hospital were familiar with Bronc. I was diagnosed in 1966 . Fortunate that all MDs I have seen for 56 years are well familiar with disease . Fortunate to live in Ma and close to Boston. Many docs I've seen also treated CF kids next door at Children's Hospital. Good Luck.
When I was first diagnosed over 20 years ago we were lumped with COPD, but in the last 10 years they realised we don't progress in the same way and we have been taken out of it and now have our own classification NCFBE, which is Non Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis. 🤗
Meant to say if you go on the European Lung Foundation, or The British Lung Foundation, then to all lung conditions lists, COPD and bronchiectasis are listed as separate condition on both of them.
She is so wrong. I would report this to management. Best wishes, Diane
Oxygen. Nurse 
Cope or asthma
Asthma?
Contacted consultant and respiratory nurse
