Ballywho News

The lungs are a human being’s breathing equipment. Located on either side of the heart, these two organs take in the oxygen we need to live; pass it on to our blood, where it travels throughout our bodies; and release carbon dioxide after the oxygen is absorbed.

There are a number of conditions that can interfere with this vital function. Here are some of them, and their symptoms:

• Emphysema – constant cough and mucus, shortness of breath that worsens during illness
• Asthma – wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath
• Pneumonia – fever, chills, shaking, fatigue
• Cystic fibrosis – usually appears in young people, coughing up blood or mucus
• Bronchitis – Cough, mild fever, hoarseness, tiredness
• Lung cancer – sometimes has no symptoms; sometimes the symptoms are similar to those of other lung ailments

Benefits of rehabilitation

Because these are chronic, or lifelong, conditions that may worsen over time, pulmonary rehabilitation can help people who have them to breathe easier, and enjoy a better quality of life than they would be able to otherwise. Rehabilitation can improve a patient’s ability to exercise, and may also reduce the amount of medication or hospitalization they need.

Plantation General Hospital offers a pulmonary medicine program, with several physicians specializing in diagnosis and treatment of illness and diseases affecting the lungs.

How it works

Pulmonary rehabilitation is designed improve the functioning of the lungs. It can be done on an inpatient basis, for patients who are recovering from lung surgery or transplantation or who are seriously ill; or more frequently, on an outpatient basis. Outpatient rehabilitation can be done at a medical facility or a patient’s home.

Patients can be children or adults. Therapy generally takes the form of:

• Assessment – what are the patient’s current symptoms, his/her ability to exercise, cognitive ability, knowledge of their disease
• Conditioning or re-conditioning – doing breathing and physical exercises, measuring oxygen use, monitoring symptoms
• Teaching the patient the skills to continue on his/her own initiative
• Mental health and nutritional counseling

If you believe you or a family member may have a lung-related health condition, or you would like a physician referral, contact Consult-A-Nurse^® at 1-866-442-2362, or visit Plantation General Hospital online.