Difference between emphysema and COPD

Generally speaking, emphysema and COPD are mainly distinguished by: emphysema is a pathological diagnosis, while COPD is a clinical disease. Emphysema refers to the abnormal and persistent expansion of the distal airways of the human body. It can be seen in COPD and is typical of COPD patients. The typical pathological changes of COPD include chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The main clinical manifestations of this disease include chronic cough, expectoration, chest tightness and shortness of breath after exercise. Therefore, patients with COPD can show pathological changes of emphysema, but showing emphysema does not necessarily lead to diagnosis of COPD.