What is Pulmonary Rehab?
Pulmonary rehab is a program designed to help people with lung disease cope with their illness and live the best quality of life they possibly can. The program offers one-on-one medically supervised exercise with oxygen saturation monitoring and ECG monitoring if necessary. The educational component of the pulmonary rehab program helps teach the patient about their disease, medication use (including oxygen), proper breathing technique, nutrition, etc. The typical pulmonary rehab program is 6-8 weeks in duration with three days of exercise per week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday).
Who can benefit from Pulmonary Rehab?
Patients with lung disease (emphysema, chronic bronchitis, etc.) should attend pulmonary rehab. The focus of pulmonary rehab is on helping the patient resume many daily activities that the patient is no longer able to do because of breathing problems. Therefore, patients who desire to improve their quality of life in spite of their pulmonary disease would benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation therapy.
How to enroll?
Pulmonary rehab requires a physician referral; therefore, a written order for pulmonary rehab from a pulmonologist or a family physician is needed. If the patient does not have an order for pulmonary rehab from their doctor, the pulmonary rehab staff can help the patient obtain and complete the proper paperwork. The best way to get started in pulmonary rehab program is to call (432)758-4837 or visit the pulmonary rehab program located at the M.S. Doss Fitness Center of Memorial Hospital. The pulmonary rehab staff will be able to describe the program in more detail and assist the patient in enrolling.
