Pulmonologists explain that while asthma and COPD share symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath, they are distinct conditions requiring different treatments. Asthma is often triggered by environmental factors and its symptoms can be intermittent, while COPD is a progressive, largely irreversible disease typically caused by long-term exposure to irritants like smoke. Misdiagnosing COPD as asthma can lead to ineffective treatment and potentially deadly delays, as COPD requires a specific management approach.