Experience Our Pulmonary
Who Should Consider the Program?
The program is ideal for anyone who is experiencing shortness of breath,decreased endurance or decreased quality of life as a result of lung disease, such as:
• COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• Chronic Bronchitis
• Intersititial lung disease
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Morbid obesity
including volume reduction surgery, transplantation, partial lung removal for cancer or other illness, and bariatric surgery.
• Pulmonary hypertension
What Can I Expect During The Program?
The evaluation process includes assessing what you are currently able to do, what makes you short of breath, and how short of breath it makes you.
When you see the word “exercise,” you are more than likely to say, “Are you kidding?”
Shortness of breath interferes with simple daily activities and someone wants you to exercise?
Fear not! The equipment in pulmonary rehabilitation is the same as any other gym, with bicycles, treadmills and weights. However, there is a difference to the approach. Try to think of this not as an exercise program in which you hope you can still breathe, but as a breathing program in which the exercise is used to train you in the use of good breathing techniques.
We can help you understand how your body is supposed to work and what is wrong with it when it isn’t working right.
• Breathing techniques that help prevent or minimize shortness of breath.
• The purpose and benefits of using home oxygen.
• Understanding the medications you are given, and the best ways to use them.
• The structure and function of the lungs and the body parts that surround them.
• The diseases that cause breathing problems, what they are, and why they cause the problems they do.
• The testing procedures you encounter, including pulmonary function tests, oximetry and blood gas testing.
• The benefits of physical activity and how to build a home exercise program.
• How to avoid the things that make breathing worse.
• How to avoid catching every illness that goes around, and how to take care of yourself if you do.
• Being prepared for emergencies.
• How to maximize your efficiency, minimize your energy output, and perform tasks with less effort.
• How to cope emotionally with chronic health problems.
In the bariatric section of the program, you also learn about:
• Keeping your lungs clear after surgery.
• Sleep apnea, diagnosis and treatment.
• CPAP and BiPAP and why they help your breathing.
• The specific impact weight may have on breathing.
You can share your worries and your frustrations and can help each other to find solutions to common problems. Lasting friendships have formed as a result of participation in the program.
Pulmonary rehabilitation is covered by most insurance carriers. Insurance coverage is verified and authorizations are obtained by the coordinator before the program begins.
How Can The Pulmonary Program
- overall improved quality of life
- improved ability to deal with physical and emotional stress.
- education for lifestyle modification to improve day-to-day activities
- a better understanding of the disease process
- increased endurance for leisure activities and activities of daily living
- improved relationships with healthcare professionals
Administrative Director of Pulmonary Medicine and Neurology
Paul Shearin, BS RRT RPFT
Chief of Pulmonary Medicine
Kala Davis-McDonald MD
Carlie Ream MA RRT CPFT