Transitional Rehab and Respiratory Therapy
“Remember to breathe. It is after all, the secret of life.” – Gregory Maguire
We cannot survive without breathing. It can be concerning, and even scary, when an individual experiences difficulty breathing or feels like they are suffocating. Issues with breathing as a result of lung problems can have a serious impact on the vitality of an individual suffering with chronic lung disease, making it difficult to perform even the most basic daily activities.
Acute care with pulmonary rehabilitation helps lung disease patients regain control of and restore the health of their lungs. These specialized rehabilitation programs can be extremely beneficial to individuals with lung-related illnesses, and for more severe conditions, by providing around-the-clock inpatient care.
Inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation provides 24-hour care to restore lung health in the most optimal way possible. During your stay at a transitional rehab facility, a specialized team of therapists will provide several hours of therapy each day to help facilitate a faster recovery. The time you will need to be in a rehab facility will be determined by several factors, including the type of surgery you had or the severity of your illness, and the overall condition of your health.
The goal of pulmonary rehabilitation is to help individuals regain their independence and improve their quality of life, slow the progression of chronic lung disease, improve breathing, facilitate a smooth transition home, and prevent future health issues. A team of specialists develops a personalized treatment plan for each individual.
A respiratory rehabilitation program incorporates various therapies such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, counseling, physiatry, and other pulmonary therapies to maximize lung capacity and reduce the strain restricted airflow can have on normal daily activities. Patients learn new exercises, eating habits, and breathing techniques to manage their conditions. The respiratory team may also provide adaptive equipment and breathing devices, and teach patients how to properly use them. Typically, patients are referred to inpatient respiratory rehabilitation by their cardiologist or pulmonary specialist.
Reasons Why Your Doctor May Recommend Inpatient Respiratory Rehabilitation
If you are facing lung surgery, suffering with a restrictive lung or obstructive lung disease, or have or have had severe pneumonia, your doctor may recommend inpatient respiratory rehabilitation to help manage your recovery process.
Recovery from Lung Surgery
After undergoing lung surgery for cancer, pulmonary embolism, transplant, or infection, you may experience side effects such as fatigue, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and pain. Respiratory rehabilitation in an inpatient transitional rehabilitation facility can help you manage your breathing and speed up your recovery – preventing emergencies or further complications while improving lung function.
Manage Restrictive Lung Disease
Pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis are restrictive lung diseases that prevent the lungs from expanding to full capacity, making it difficult to breathe. A specialized care team at a transitional rehab facility can help you breathe more efficiently and better perform daily activities through monitored exercise, energy conservation training, nutrition counseling, and oxygen therapy, leading to increased stamina, improved lung function, fewer breathing difficulties, and improved mental health.
Manage Chronic Obstructive Lung Conditions
COPD, emphysema, asthma, chronic bronchitis, and cystic fibrosis are obstructive lung conditions that inflame or obstruct airways, causing restricted airflow that makes it difficult to breathe. Respiratory rehabilitation can help slow the progression of these diseases, improve endurance, increase functional movement, decrease oxygen use, and reduce the chance of re-hospitalization through specialized therapy programs that are tailored to the individual.
Recover from Severe Pneumonia
If you have severe pneumonia, respiratory rehabilitation can help you manage your breathing and recover from the virus or bacterial infection. Treatment may include medications, oxygen, IV fluids, mechanical ventilation, progressive exercises, ventilation weaning, and tracheostomy care. Inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation can enhance stamina, improve pulmonary function and immunity, provide symptom relief, reverse disease progression, and decrease treatment costs.
Margate Health & Rehab
Margate Health & Rehab offers a comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation program that includes a specialized program of pulmonary therapies and the most clinically effective, up-to-date treatment plans. We are leaders in returning patients to their homes as quickly as possible. With rehabilitation services available 7 days a week, patients get the intensive treatment they need to return to their prior level of independence as quickly as possible. Contact us today to learn more.