An individualized program of exercise and education is the cornerstone of the new Columbus Community Hospital Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program.

Designed to teach patients to live and breathe better with chronic lung disease, the 8-week program is directly managed by Nazi Khan, MD, FCCP, who specializes in pulmonology and sleep medicine, and supported by the CCH Respiratory Therapy Department.

“Things as basic as brushing your teeth, bending over to put on your shoes, or getting dressed can cause some patients with chronic lung disease to be out of breath,” said Janet Franklin, CCH Respiratory Therapist. “Our goal is to help these patients once again be able to complete the activities of daily living without being out of breath.”

Chronic lung disease is an ongoing problem which keeps a patient from breathing normally. Some of the medical conditions which are considered chronic lung disease include emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, restrictive lung disease, and cystic fibrosis.

In order to enter the program, a patient must be referred  by his or her primary care physician. Once referred the patient is assessed by Dr. Khan and given an exercise prescription based on realistic goals and expectations. The exercise portion consists of stretching and light weight lifting in a group setting, as well as the use of the treadmill, recumbent stepper, stationary bike, and arm exerciser.

Oxygen saturation levels, blood pressure and heart rate are monitored closely by a certified respiratory therapist during the exercise portion.

“During the course of the exercise program, the patient is providing constant feedback to us regarding how their breathing feels and how hard they feel they are working at the exercise level,” said Franklin. “This tells us if  they are making progress  or if their exercise prescription needs to be adjusted.”

In addition, patients receive education regarding breathing techniques, the disease process, nutrition, medication, preventing infection, oxygen therapy, traveling with respiratory equipment, emotional and social wellbeing, support, smoking cessation, second-hand smoke, and safety issues.

“Often times, patients with chronic lung disease feel isolated and experience anxiety and depression due to the limitations that go along with their condition,” said Louise Sampson, CCH Respiratory Therapist. “We are going to help them be more independent and develop a social network of others with the disease so they know they are not alone.”

Pulmonary Rehabilitation should not be confused with Cardiac Rehabilitation.

“Cardiac Rehabilitation is made up of a population of people who are recovering from heart disease. Pulmonary Rehabilitation is for those who have a progressive disease and are trying to improve their quality of life, by getting control of the disease, rather  than the disease controlling them,” said Sampson.