Is Pulmonary Rehabilitation Beneficial to Patients with COPD?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a lung disease in which the airways that carry air in and out of the lungs are partially obstructed making it difficult for the patient to breathe in and out. COPD can be caused by cigarette smoking, or exposure to pollution, dust, or chemicals over a long period of time generally. COPD is diagnosed usually in middle aged people, it slowly progresses over time, so it may take years for a patient to notice any symptoms.

There is no cure for COPD and it cannot be reversed, once the damage is done, it's done. There are things that can be done to slow down the progression of the disease and make the patient feel better. A pulmonary rehabilitation program may be beneficial to the COPD to help the patient remain active.

The American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation recommends a program that includes both high and low intensity exercise. Along with exercise, a pulmonary rehabilitation program includes education, instruction on various respiratory therapies and techniques and psychological support. Pulmonary rehabilitation can reduce the frequency and length of hospital stays and improve the patients exercise tolerance, and dyspnea.

The primary goal of pulmonary rehabilitation is not to cure the patient, but to restore the patient to the highest level possible of independent function and daily activities. Patients are educated on their disease, treatments and how to cope with their disease. It is difficult for an individual who works hard to take each breath to become motivated to exercise. They will generally be started out with some simple arm lifts and progress to more challenging exercises as tolerated.