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Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week

March 11-17 is Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week, which was initiated by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) to educate about the role of pulmonary rehabilitation in enhancing the quality of life of individuals with chronic lung disease. The 2018 theme, “Improving Life, One Breath at a Time,” honors individuals who struggle to overcome shortness of breath and the pulmonary professionals who work every day to alleviate that struggle and improve patients’ everyday life.

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a type of therapy program that helps improve the well-being of people who have chronic breathing problems, such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), sarcoidosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or cystic fibrosis.

Pulmonary rehabilitation may include:

• Exercise training
• Nutritional counseling
• Education on your lung disease or condition and how to manage it
• Energy-conserving techniques
• Breathing strategies
• Psychological counseling and/or group support

Pulmonary rehabilitation involves a long-term commitment from the patient and a team of health care providers. Examples of specialists include respiratory therapists, physical and occupational therapists, dietitians or nutritionists, and psychologists or social workers.

The benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation can include improving your ability to function and your quality of life. The program also may help relieve your breathing problems. Even if you have advanced lung disease, you may still benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation.

Information taken from www.aacvpr.org and www.nhlbi.nih.gov.