Pulmonary Rehabilitation
If you are one of the 15 million people who live with asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or a combination of these conditions known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), each breath can be an effort. Coping with shortness of breath may become overwhelming, causing anxiety and fear. And these factors may lead to a loss of stamina or activity tolerance.
If you experience breathing problems as a result of COPD, the Queen of Peace Pulmonary Rehab staff is here to help with a life-changing program — one that can maximize your energy level and improve your overall health and well-being.
Our multidisciplinary program offers an outpatient education and exercise piece for patients with COPD and their families. This program teaches patients about their illness and how to manage their condition.
This is achieved through:
- exercise to build strength and endurance;
- relaxation, diaphragmatic and pursed lip breathing techniques to control episodes of shortness of breath;
- instruction about medications — what they do and how to take them correctly;
- information about COPD therapy, tests, oxygen, and equipment.
Before beginning the pulmonary rehabilitation program, patients meet with one of the program staff for an interview and assessment. This will help them determine if the program is right for them and what goals they hope to accomplish through the program. Patients are also scheduled for an exercise test and pulmonary function test if these have not been done in the last six months.
The exercise and education sessions last approximately two hours. The exercise component of the program consists of one-hour classes two times a week. Each hour of therapy includes:
- flexibility and endurance exercises,
- relaxation techniques,
- heart rate monitoring, and
- oxygen level monitoring.
Education & Support
Education and support sessions for patients and families are scheduled along with your exercise sessions. Program topics include:
- relaxation techniques,
- breathing retraining,
- nutrition and weight control,
- medications,
- family concerns,
- communications,
- energy conservation in daily activities, and
- oxygen therapy.
Benefits
Pulmonary rehabilitation has been shown to bring about a number of benefits for individuals who have COPD. These benefits include:
- improving capability for carrying out activities of daily living,
- increasing exercise tolerance,
- reducing anxiety and depression,
- improving self-esteem,
- increasing feelings of control, and
- decreasing total number of days in hospital.
Family members are encouraged to attend sessions with their loved one. A physician's referral is necessary to become involved in pulmonary rehab at Queen of Peace.
For more information or questions about our pulmonary rehabilitation services, call:
952.758.8911
or
800.584.6667, Ext. 5210
or
Email: jvande@qofp.org