improve your lung function and lifestyle with pulmonary rehab

March 7, 2022

Various health conditions negatively affect your breathing, inhibiting your ability to complete daily activities. Pulmonary rehabilitation will address your breathing issues and improve your quality of life.

What is Pulmonary Rehabilitation?

It’s a therapeutic approach intended to ease the symptoms of people with chronic lung diseases and breathing problems. Pulmonary rehab can help you recover faster and improve your ability to complete tasks and exercise.

Pulmonary rehabilitation is intended to complement your medical treatment. It’s most effective if you seek treatment before your condition becomes too severe.

Who Needs Pulmonary Rehab?

You’ll benefit from pulmonary rehab if you have a lung or a medical condition that negatively affects your breathing.

You may consider pulmonary rehab if you have a respiratory issue such as:

  • COPD, like emphysema or chronic bronchitis
  • Asthma
  • Pulmonary fibrosis
  • Pulmonary hypertension
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Respiratory failure
  • Degenerative disorders that weaken your breathing muscles

This type of rehabilitation is also beneficial if you have had or are planning to have lung surgery.

What Can I Expect During Pulmonary Rehab?

You’ll meet with a team of healthcare specialists and respiratory therapists to assess the severity of your condition and create a customized treatment plan. Your care team will discuss your medical history, current treatment and medications, diet and mental health. You’ll undergo several tests to evaluate your lung function, blood oxygen level and ability to exercise.

Pulmonary rehab often includes:

Breathing techniques: This practice includes various breathing patterns to improve your oxygen levels and keep your airways open longer. You may learn pursed-lip breathing or yoga breathing, which will help you feel more in control of your breathing and less winded.

Exercise training: Better breathing requires strong muscles and improved endurance, so you’ll need to follow a consistent exercise plan. You’ll strengthen your arms, back and leg muscles with weight training and aerobic exercises.

Nutritional services: Your weight affects your breathing, so maintaining a healthy diet is important to improving your lung capacity. Your pulmonary rehab team can create a nutritious meal plan to support a healthy weight.

Education: An important part of successful treatment is learning to manage your symptoms and avoid situations that worsen your condition. Your healthcare providers can offer guidance and suggestions about conserving your energy, taking medication and addressing flare-ups.

Emotional and psychological counseling: Living with a chronic pulmonary condition can cause anxiety and depression. Pulmonary rehabilitation often includes psychological services and support groups to ease your distress.

Embassy Healthcare Pulmonary Rehab

Embassy Healthcare offers comprehensive pulmonary care at several senior care facilities in Ohio. Our dedicated pulmonary units have 24/7 staff and onsite respiratory therapists who can help reduce your risk of rehospitalization.

Our EMPOWER PULMONARY program includes short- and long-term plans to re-establish your highest breathing function.

Some of our pulmonary services include:

We offer monthly support groups and provide you with a case manager to monitor your progress. Call 216-378-2050 or schedule a tour online.