is asthma under copd
Understanding COPD and Asthma. There are two main diseases that fall under the umbrella term Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. But there is a third disease that is actually classified as COPD, as well: asthma. Asthma is a disorder that causes the airways of the lungs to swell and narrow, leading to wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness and coughing.