Pulmonary Rehab

For over five years now, I have been participating in the Pulmonary Rehabilitation program at Upper Valley Medical Center.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a program of education and exercise classes for those with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) that teaches you about your lungs, how to exercise and do activities with less shortness of breath, and how to "live" better with your lung condition. The most important aid to coping with your everyday activities is learning to breath correctly. I was amazed to learn that I was not breathing correctly when I started rehab. I still have trouble remembering the proper way, occasionally.

The success of pulmonary rehabilitation relies on the relationship between you and your team of health professionals. This team works with you to achieve goals. However, they cannot do it for you. It is vital that you take an active role in the program and understand the importance of regular participation.
Although this therapy can improve your daily life, and add years to your life, it does not reverse the effects that COPD has had on the lungs or other organs such as the heart. It does not cure COPD. It trains the mind, muscles, and heart to get the most out of your damaged lungs.

If you don't have a program in your area, there are many things you can do on your own. Your quality of life can be improved by stopping smoking, learning how to correctly use inhaled medicines, and exercising regularly. I use a nebulizer, which is a machine that converts two liquid medicines into a vapor that I inhale. I do this four times a day. It takes from 15 to 20 minutes for each treatment. As of yet, I do not use oxygen, although I expect to have to do so in the not too distant future



This is some of the exercise equipment that a well equipped Pulmonary/Cardiac Rehab program will have for their patients to make use of.

However, if you don't have a good rehab program available to you, there are other things you can do.

One of the most important exercises for someone with lung problems is walking regularly. Begin walking slowly at a very comfortable pace for a period of time (say 5 to 10 minutes daily), 3 to 5 days a week. Do not increase the time you are walking until you can walk the entire time without stopping. When you can walk without stopping to rest, increase the time you are walking by 1 to 2 minutes each week. For example, if you can walk nonstop for 5 minutes a day for five days in one week, increase your walking to 7 minutes each day. Many people with severe lung disease can reach the goal of walking 30 minutes without stopping. Some people with lung problems require oxygen during exercise. If you have been prescribed oxygen for regular use, be sure to use it with exercise. If you aren't sure about using oxygen, talk with your health care provider. Some of the resources listed below may help you either find a program or provide you with more information about lung conditions.

American Lung Association, telephone 1-800-LUNGUSA, or www.lungusa.org or contact your State or local chapter of the Lung Association.

American Association for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR), telephone 312-644-6610 or www.aacvpr.org (go to "program directory")

I am fortunate to be able to be enrolled in the Pulmonary Rehabilitation program at Upper Valley Medical Center. It has the reputation of being the best program of it's kind in the area. Virtually all of the credit for this reputation goes to the fine staff of the program. Without exception, they are all wonderfully knowledgeable and dedicated people. I am fortunate to be one of their patients.



This is Mary H. Mary is in charge of both Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab at the hospital. She has been a Registered Nurse for a number of years, and combines outstanding nursing and management skills with a warmth and caring for her patients that is heart warming to all of us.



Elaine B. is another RN who demonstrates a high degree of knowledge and ability along with kindness and understanding of her patient's needs and problems.



Mary Z. is a sweet spirited, warm, kind, and caring RN who has dedicated many years to caring for her patients. (well, maybe not all that many. Certainly, I'm not trying to make this lovely lady appear to be elderly. She has quite a bit to go to catch up with me.)



Jenny is another highly skilled, wonderfully competent and concientious RN. Jenny, however, has one other skill that is really important to me and one that I take advantage of whenever I can. She bakes wonderful cookies! A really sweet lady.

Last, but certainly not in any way least, this is Marcia and Pat. Both are highly trained and skilled Registered Respiratory Therapists.



Don't be fooled by the fact that these ladies do not have the suffix RN after their names. Only some of the things they have to have in order to obtain their degrees are:

General knowledge of science, social science, and language arts.

Functional knowledge and understanding of respiratory care theories and practice.

Active participation in respiratory care as professionals in the field.

Practical knowledge and experience of professional interactions in the field.


Some of their training also includes practical training with ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, and work in an arterial blood gas laboratory, pulmonary function laboratory, or work with other respiratory therapy equipment.

A respiratory therapist often provides life critical care to patients with cardio-pulmonary problems. A respiratory therapist's responsibilities include advising physicians and nurses on respiratory therapy, working with patients on breathing therapies, monitoring patients, supervising technicians, and more.

A wonderful career choice.