Pulmonary rehab?? father?
Question:
Anyone familiar with this subject?
He has emphysema, on Oxygen, and 62yrs old. Is able to go on the treadmill, walk farther, drive again
Answers:
Most chronic lung diseases can not be cured however they can be managed. Pulmonary rehab will teach your father how to breathe correctly and how to get the most out of each breath. Pulmonary rehab programs have great results and the patients have a higher quality of life up to and beyond a year after the program if they continue with their breathing and physical exercise.
"Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a multidisciplinary program of care for patients with chronic respiratory impairment that is individually tailored and designed to optimize physical and social performance and autonomy."
Examples of conditions appropriate for pulmonary rehabilitation
Obstructive Diseases
COPD (including alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency)
Persistent asthma
Bronchiectasis
Cystic fibrosis
Bronchiolitis obliterans
Restrictive Diseases
Interstitial diseases
Interstitial fibrosis
Occupational or environmental lung disease
Sarcoidosis
Chest wall diseases
Kyphoscoliosis
Ankylosing spondylitis
Neuromuscular diseases
Parkinson’s disease
Post-polio syndrome
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Diaphragmatic dysfunction
Multiple sclerosis
Post-tuberculosis syndrom
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a multidisciplinary program of care for patients with chronic respiratory impairment that is individually tailored and designed to optimize physical and social performance and autonomy. The core components of pulmonary rehabilitation include:
Patient Assessment of current functional status
Exercise training and other therapeutic exercise (aerobic and strength)
Education and skills training (such as breathing retraining)
Nutritional assessment and intervention if necessary
Psychosocial assessment, support, and intervention if necessary
Smoking cessation if currently smoking
Medication management and education
Implementation of a home treatment program and possible followup
Demonstrated Outcomes of Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Reduced respiratory symptoms (dyspnea, fatigue)
Increased exercise performance
Increased knowledge about pulmonary disease and its management
Enhanced ability to perform activities of daily living
Improved health-related quality of life
Improved psychosocial symptoms (reversal of anxiety and depression, increased self-efficacy)
Reduced hospitalizations and use of medical resources
Return to work or leisure activities
Hi Lynn, I was diagnosed with COPD this year. My Dr tells me that if I quit smoking that my body will attempt to start healing itself. Of course, I do know that there is no cure for what I have... Or for Emphysema and other upper respiratory illnesses. But I do have hope. I believe you should have hope as well; try to think and be positive about the outcome and really encourage your father to follow through with the rehab. Be very supportive.. The first reply gave you lots of good sound information; if you need more, I'm sure it's to be found here on the Internet or with your father's Dr's office. Good luck to you both.
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