Therapy and Rehabilitation

There are several programs and therapeutic treatments available for COPD patients to help treat their disease. Oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation are the two primary types for each treatment. Both are designed to help treat certain symptoms the patient is exhibiting. Patients will consult with their doctors or specialists to determine whether or not they should participate in these treatment types.

Oxygen Therapy
Patients that have severe COPD and low levels of oxygen in your blood, oxygen therapy can help them breathe better. For this treatment, patients are given oxygen through nasal cannula or a mask.

Patients may need extra oxygen all the time or just sometimes. For some people who have severe COPD, using extra oxygen for most of the day can help them:

• Do tasks or activities, while having fewer symptoms.
• Protect their hearts and other organs from damage.
• Sleep more during the night and improve alertness during the day.
• Live longer.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Pulmonary rehab is a medically supervised program that helps improve the health and well-being of people who have lung problems. An effective rehab program may include an exercise, disease management training, and nutritional and psychological counseling. The program aims to help patients stay more active and carry out their day-to-day activities.

A rehab team may include doctors, nurses, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, exercise specialists, and dietitians. These health professionals work together and with the patient to create a program that meets their needs.

[Excerpt taken from National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.]