What is Pulmonary Rehabilitation?
Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a supervised education and exercise program designed to help people with chronic (long-term) lung diseases.
Pulmonary rehabilitation will not cure your lung disease, but you may notice fewer breathing problems, more strength and an improved quality of life.
What is the need for the Pulmonary rehabilitation?
All patients with end stage lung disease go through the cycle of inactivity where during the course of disease they feel breathless and thereby becomes less active and muscles becomes weaker and thereafter breathlessness continues !!
Making it easier to breathe and exercise
Preventing or reducing the complications that can arise with low blood oxygen levels
Reducing the blood pressure in the right side of the heart
Improving sleep and general quality of life
Who should be candidate for Pulmonary rehabilitation?
All patients with chronic lung diseases will benefit from Pulmonary rehabilitation and it will include the following:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Interstitial lung disease
Lung cancer and lung cancer surgery
Asthma
Pulmonary hypertension
What are the goals which we are trying to achieve with Pulmonary rehabilitation?
To reduce your shortness of breath
Improve your quality of life
Improve your ability to do daily living activities, like housework or going out with your family
What should I expect when I enter the Pulmonary rehabilitation?
Pulmonary rehabilitation will be overseen by the nurses , Pulmonologist, therapist and social worker and will design a personal program based on your current status. Rehabilitation program include the following :
Assessment: Your assessment will be done by a nurse , respiratory therapist and physician. You may do a stress test that measures your oxygen level, blood pressure and heart rate, followed by pulmonary function tests to check your breathing and a walking test to measure how far you can go in six minutes.
Education: You’ll learn subjects to help you deal with your chronic lung condition.
Exercise: You’ll learn exercises to help you feel better and do more.
Psychosocial: You’ll learn how to deal mentally and emotionally with your chronic lung condition.
What is the usual duration and where can I do the Pulmonary rehabilitation program?
Most Pulmonary Rehabilitation programs will be done at your local hospital as it involves multi disciplinary input and assessment however some centres also do in the outpatient health centres also. Pulmonary Rehabilitation is usually two or three times a week for four to 12 weeks or more.
