The American College of Chest Physicians and American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation recently released guidelines to help physicians treat patients who have COPD. These groups recommend that patients complete a pulmonary rehabilitation program that is designed to improve exercise tolerance, breathing, and overall quality of life. According to the guidelines, a six- to 12-week pulmonary rehab program will produce benefits for the patient, but a longer program may work even better.
The multi-disciplinary, pulmonary rehabilitation program is designed to help a person be more active with less shortness of breath. The goal is to get patients back on track so they can feel more comfortable and lead more normal lives by teaching them how to safely handle daily life activities.
Houston Northwest Medical Center offers a comprehensive 12-week pulmonary rehabilitation program that combines education, emotional support, and exercise classes. In addition to COPD, the program also may benefit patients who suffer from other lung conditions, such as asthma, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, or interstitial fibrosis. Patients learn how to exercise and do activities with less shortness of breath and how to live better with a lung condition. Each exercise class is tailored to meet the specific needs of individual patients.
Pulmonary rehabilitation is available with a physician order.
For more information call Emmanuel Mendoza, RRT, CPFT, at 281-440-2429.