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Pulmonary rehabilitation and education can greatly benefit those with lung disease such as asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Whether caused by smoking, occupational, environmental or genetic factors-these conditions leave people chronically short of breath and can be very debilitating. Routine activities, such as putting on a pair of socks, can leave a person fighting for air.
Outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation can help you to return to a more active lifestyle through exercise and education. Our goal is to help you achieve and maintain a maximum level of independent functioning. Benefits from regular exercise and educational programs include:
The key to achieving these benefits is personal motivation to make a commitment to lifestyle changes.
Our 8-week (2days/week) Pulmonary Rehabiltiation Program is designed to increase your ability to do normal daily activities through exercise and education.
Exercise on a regular basis will improve the condition of the cardiopulmonary system. This program may include walking on a treadmill, stationary bicycling, stretching and light weights for upper body strengthing. Pulmonary rehabilitation uses exercise to increase strength and endurance so less energy is required by the heart and lungs to carry on normal activities. Individualized exercise programs are designed to meet your your specific needs and lifestyle. You should be able to do more activities with less shortness of breath.
Education is also an important part of this program. Information about topics such as breathing exercises, energy conservation, nutrition, medication management and stress reduction is provided to help you better understand and manage your condition.
For people currently smoking: SMOKING CESSATION or enrollement in a formal smoking cessation program is required upon entering the pulmonary rehabilitation program. We will assist you in locating a nearby program.
You will need a physician referral to join the program. You will begin by undergoing a cardiopulmonary stress test and an evaluation by a Registered Respiratory Therapist. These test results will enable us to evaluate your heart and lung tolerance for exercise and design a conditioning program to meet your specific needs.
Patients with emphysema, asthma, chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, sarcoidosis and pre- and post- lung surgery are among those who benefit most from this conditioning program.
The Brigham and Women's Hospital Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program provides a controlled, monitored environment where patients develop friendships with others who understand what it is like to live with a pulmonary disease. Patients find themselves quickly bonding with and supporting each other.
If you are interested, have questions, or would like a tour of our facilities, please call (617) 732-4757.
Comments about this website may be directed to: kzahner@partners.org
NOTICE: This email is not for medically related issues. Comments or concerns regarding patient-related care should be directed to the Thoracic Surgery Clinic at 617-732-6824.
©2010, Division of Thoracic Surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital. All rights reserved.
Division of Thoracic Surgery
Brigham and Women's Hospital
75 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02115