Pulmonary
Rehab
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. |
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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
- oxygen level monitoring.
EDUCATION AND 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
- 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
- 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.
Further information may be obtained by calling Queen of Peace
Hospital at 952.758.8911 or 800.584.6667, Ext. 5210; e-mail
jvande@qofp.org |
