Pulmonary Rehab
Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) is a supervised group program that helps patients with chronic lung disease improve their breathing and quality of life. This is done through physical reconditioning and lung disease management education. Additional individual counseling from dietary, pharmacy, physical therapy and pastoral care team members may also be available at some locations. Pulmonary Rehab can't cure your lung disease, but it may help improve your quality of life, pulmonary function, and chronic respiratory symptoms.
Benefits of Pulmonary Rehab may include:
- Improve symptoms: PR can help patients manage symptoms like shortness of breath, and anxiety
- Improve quality of life: PR can help patients get back to their lives before their illness
- Improve pulmonary function: PR can help patients exercise with less shortness of breath
- Restore functional capabilities: PR can help reverse muscle deconditioning caused by chronic respiratory illness
- Promote independence: PR focuses on activities of daily life to promote independence
Physical conditioning sessions
A physical activity plan is tailored to your needs using evidence based guidelines. Exercise will help improve your endurance and muscle strength, so you're better able to carry out daily activities.
- You'll have exercise sessions two to three days a week
- A provider will be there to guide and help you through
- Sessions may include a warm-up period, aerobic exercise, resistance training, and a cool-down period
- Session length depends on individual needs
- You will be prescribed a safe home exercise program
Pulmonary Rehabilitation Education sessions
These classes focus on COPD and other chronic lung diseases. Family members and caregivers may be encouraged to attend these sessions, depending on the program. Education topics may include:
- How the lungs work: Learn how the lungs function
- Medications: Learn how to take medications effectively and understand their role
- Flare-ups: Learn to recognize signs of a flare-up and how to manage or avoid them
- Breathing techniques: Learn breathing techniques to manage breathlessness
- Exercise: Learn about physical exercise, including how to stay fit after PR
- Nutrition: Learn about healthy eating and nutritional guidance
- Tobacco cessation: Receive support and guidance to help you quit smoking
- Stress management: Learn how to manage stress and cope with depression, anxiety, and panic attacks
- Energy conservation: Learn how to conserve energy and avoid feeling short of breath
- Daily tasks: Learn how to do daily tasks more easily, such as avoiding reaching, lifting, and bending
- Lifestyle changes: Learn how to make lifestyle changes to feel better
Participation
Participation is dependent on physician referral and specific eligibility guidelines. Stable health and readiness are also required. Each PR session report will be in your electronic medical record for your provider's review. Providers are also informed any time a significant medical issue or change in symptoms are noted.
Qualifying Conditions May Include:
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Emphysema
- Chronic Bronchitis
- Asthma
- Bronchiectasis
- Sarcoidosis
- Pulmonary Hypertension
- Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Interstitial Lung Disease
- Lung Cancer and Lung Cancer Surgery
- Lung Volume Reduction Surgery Before and After Lung Transplantation
Insurance Coverage
Most major insurance companies, as well as Medicare and Medicaid, may cover all or part of the cost for participants who qualify. Because all policies vary, patients are encouraged to check with their insurance company for specific coverage.