chronic lung problems

What is Pulmonary Rehabilitation?

Submitted by Dr. John Warner Hospital

ulmonary rehabilitation, also called pulmonary rehab or PR, is a broad program that helps improve the well-being of people who have chronic breathing problems. Your doctor may recommend pulmonary rehabilitation if you have a chronic lung disease, or if you have a condition that makes it hard for you to breathe and limits your activities. You may benefit from PR if you have:  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The symptoms of COPD include coughing (either a dry cough or a cough that expels phlegm or mucus from your airways), wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and other symptoms.  An interstitial lung disease. This type of disease causes scarring of the lung tissue over time. This can lead to coughing, shortness of breath, and other symptoms.  Cystic Fibrosis, which is an inherited disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to collect in the lungs and block the airways. CF can cause coughing and frequent respiratory infections. Your doctor also may recommend PR before and after lung surgery to help you prepare for and recover from the surgery. For example, people who have surgery for lung cancer or COPD may benefit from PR. It can also help people who have musclewasting disorders, such as muscular dystrophy, that affect the muscles used for breathing. PR works best if you start it when
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your disease is in a moderate stage. However, even people who have advanced lung disease can benefit from PR. PR doesn't replace medical therapy. Instead, it's used with medical therapy and may include: Exercise training: Your PR team will give you a physical activity plan tailored to your needs. They'll design the plan to improve your endurance and muscle strength, so you're better able to carry out daily activities. Nutritional counseling: Being overweight or underweight can make it hard for you to breathe. Your team may recommend a healthy eating plan to help you achieve a healthy weight. Education: Part of PR involves learning about your disease or condition and how to manage it. Your PR team will teach you about the importance of vaccinations and other ways to prevent infections. If you smoke, you'll be offered a program to help you quit. Your PR team will teach you how to use inhalers and nebulizers if you need them to take your medicine, and will show you how to use oxygen if you're getting oxygen therapy. In addition, your PR team will help you create a self-management plan so you know what you should do if your symptoms get worse or you have signs of a respiratory infection.

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"PR doesn't replace medical therapy. Instead, it's used with medical therapy."
Energy-conserving techniques: One way to help prevent symptoms like shortness of breath is to find easier ways to do daily tasks. PR programs often give you tips on how you can conserve your energy and breathe easier. These tips include ways to avoid reaching, lifting, and bending. Breathing strategies: You may learn how to take longer, deeper, less frequent breaths or how to position your body so your lungs can expand the most when you breathe in. Psychological counseling and/or group support: People who have chronic lung diseases are more prone to depression, anxiety, and other emotional problems. Thus, many PR programs offer counseling or support groups. PR involves a long-term commitment from the patient and a team of health care providers that may include doctors, nurses, and specialists such as respiratory therapists, physical and occupational therapists, dietitians, psychologists, or social workers. Pulmonary rehabilitation can't cure your lung disease or completely relieve your breathing problems. However, PR can improve your quality of life, increase your ability to exercise, and decrease the symptoms of your disease or condition. Dr. John Warner Hospital in Clinton, Illinois, offers a comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation program for patients with lung disease who have difficulty breathing, use oxygen, or who want to learn more about their disease. For more information, call 217-935-9571 ext. 3222.

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September 2013 Bloomington Healthy Cells Magazine Page 29