Shortness of breath, a symptom of lung disease, can be
an unpleasant and troubling sensation. In fact, to prevent it, people
often avoid physical activity, leading to a further reduction in their overall
health. The Pulmonary Rehabilitation program at Delnor is a
medical-supervised exercise program that helps you overcome this debilitating
cycle by restoring you to the highest possible level of functional capacity.
Program Benefits
- Improved ability to perform physical activities
- Higher level of independence
- Lower anxiety levels
- Improved quality of life
The program benefits those who have been diagnosed with mild, moderate or
severe chronic lung disease, including:
- Emphysema
- Chronic bronchitis
- Asthma
- Bronchiectasis
- Pulmonary fibrosis
While your actual lung function will not improve through pulmonary rehab, you
can accomplish a general cardiovascular and muscular reconditioning that will
greatly improve your ability to perform daily activities.
Program Components
Each pulmonary rehab session lasts approximately two hours and consists of
one hour of exercise and one hour of education. During exercise, our staff
will monitor your blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation.
Exercise will consist of bicycle riding, treadmill walking, rowing, recumbent
stepping and upper arm work.
All activities are supervised by registered nurses and exercise physiologists
who are certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and in advanced cardiac life
support. The program is directed by a staff physician who specializes in
pulmonary disease.
Education Series
A variety of topics will be covered during your rehab depending on your
individual needs. They can include:
- Anatomy and physiology of the lung and body in
general
- Nutrition
- Relaxation
- Medications
- Oxygen equipment
- Chest physical therapy
- Infection prevention
Accessing the Service
You must have a written prescription from your physician to enter pulmonary
rehab. In addition, you must undergo the following before entering
the program:
- Spirometry (lung function test)
- Low level exercise test on a treadmill or bicycle
- Physical exam
- Have quit smoking or are willing to quit
Once you have a physician referral for the program, call us at (630) 208-4084
to set up an orientation appointment.
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