India, Jan. 3 -- Many people mix up asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, they need different treatments. It is important to obtain an accurate diagnosis because a mistake can lead to ineffective treatment. According to a 2017 report from the National Healthcare Quality Reporting System (NHQRS), about 450,000 people in Ireland have been diagnosed with asthma by a doctor. Additionally, around 500,000 people over 40 have COPD. Still, only half of them have received a diagnosis, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

At first glance, asthma and COPD seem similar. "Both involve the lungs and share symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath", Pulmonologist Dr Rajendra Saini, M...