Lung diseases are one of the most serious conditions gripping our country. Most of the time, human activities like smoking and other activities that aggravate air pollution contribute to these deadly Lung diseases.
Our pulmonary rehabilitation services include providing excellent care for asthma rehabilitation, COPD rehabilitation, and lung rehabilitation among others.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) – An umbrella term used to describe progressive irreversible conditions that cause blocking of airflow
- Asthma – A chronic condition that also causes blocking of airflow but is reversible
- Cystic fibrosis – A progressive genetic condition that causes repeated limited lung infections
- Intrinsic lung diseases such as asbestosis, silicosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and sarcoidosis cause progressive lung stiffness and prevent expansion due to the problem in the lungs itself
- Extrinsic lung diseases such as neuromuscular diseases, kyphoscoliosis, ankylosing spondylitis, and surgical removal of lung tissue also prevent lungs from expanding but the causes are external like weakness in the breathing muscle, bony abnormality, etc
Symptoms
Symptoms that are commonly noted in individuals with a pulmonary condition are :
- Breathing problems in adults
- Easy fatigability
- Reduced breathing capacity and dysfunctional breathing pattern
- Chronic cough and inability to clear phlegm
- Poor endurance
- Muscle weakness
- Difficulty in walking or performing daily activities when these symptoms are severe, leading to poor quality of life
Our comprehensive, interdisciplinary team approach (i.e. care being provided by various disciplines in a coordinated fashion) with Physician (Physiatrist), Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech and Language Therapist, Neuropsychologist, Nutritionist and a Nurse can help reduce your symptoms directly related to the injury as well as prevent and treat common medical complications post brain injury. Not all patients will require all services and usually, a combination of these services is required for an individual patient. You will be evaluated at the initial visit to determine what services you require and a tailored treatment plan will be initiated.
First patients will be evaluated by the Physician to determine the severity and chronicity of the respiratory condition and it’s impact on the patient. The Physician then designs an individualized treatment plan. A Pulmonary Function Test is often helpful to understand your lung capacity prior to beginning treatment and may be requested if not done already. The treatment plan primarily includes physical exercisesand adequate nutrition. However other treatments like training for an occupation, activities of daily living, and psychological counseling can also be recommended depending on the severity of the physical limitation and prognosis.
The Physiotherapist trains patients on a variety of exercises like breathing exercises to reduce dysfunctional breathing pattern and improve breathing capacity, passive and active secretion management techniques to reduce mucous plugs, exercises to improve respiratory muscle strength, and finally, aerobic exercises and muscle strengthening exercises to improve overall strength and endurance. They also focus on energy conservation strategies.
An Occupational therapist trains patients with severe physical limitations to perform activities of daily living such as moving in the bed, transferring from one place to another, eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, and driving. The final phase of treatment involves patient training for successful community integration (education, employment etc).
A Neuropsychologist evaluates patients with depression and anxiety that is commonly seen after any major life-changing illness guides them through the process of rehabilitation thereby improving their quality of life through motivation and counseling.
As adequate nutrition intake is essential for optimal recovery, the Nutritionist recommends an appropriate intake of nutrition.
Expectations of Recovery
The goal of this program is to improve lung function, reduce symptoms such as fatigue and breathing difficulty, manage secretions (phlegm) better and improve breathing capacity, muscle strength, and endurance. It also helps to improve walking and perform other physical activities more efficiently. Studies have shown that pulmonary rehabilitation program can decrease complications and hospitalization caused due to pulmonary conditions.