While the holiday season is a time for spreading joy and creating memories with loved ones, it can also be prime time for the spread of respiratory illnesses. As the air outside becomes dry and cold and people gather indoors to celebrate, viruses like flu, RSV, and COVID-19 can spread more easily. People with complex existing respiratory conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung disease, emphysema, and more can be particularly at risk of becoming severely ill during this time of year.
PAM Health’s specialized respiratory therapy and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation programs can help patients with chronic respiratory conditions be proactive so they can make the most of the holiday season.
What are Respiratory Therapy and Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation?
Respiratory therapy administered by certified professionals is designed to help patients improve their lung function and ability to breathe on their own without the need for supplemental oxygen. For some severely ill patients in PAM Health hospitals, this starts with weaning from mechanical ventilation and tracheostomy and airway care from expert, diligent respiratory therapists and medical professionals.
As patients’ respiratory health improves, respiratory therapy as part of a pulmonary rehabilitation program can support long-term improvement of lung health. As part of PAM Health’s interdisciplinary approach to care, respiratory therapy, in combination with physical, occupational, and speech therapies, if needed, can offer invaluable education and practice for improving breathing techniques and lifestyle guidance, like nutritional support and energy conservation strategies.
“Pulmonary rehabilitation is the most seldom used but most beneficial non-drug therapy a patient with lung disease can participate in,” says Dr. George Zlupko, MD, FCCP, Chief Medical Officer of PAM Health and longtime practicing pulmonologist.
Read about Todd Cinnamon’s cardiopulmonary recovery at PAM Health.
“The goal of our programs, whether inpatient or outpatient, is to improve a patient’s quality of life, increase endurance, and increase their ability to complete activities of daily living. We help promote independence through management of chronic and acute respiratory diseases,” says Keri Bolton, Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Manager at PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Clear Lake North in Webster, TX.
What Techniques are Involved in Respiratory Therapy?
PAM Health’s respiratory therapists employ the latest techniques and technologies to maximize patient success. Lung expansion therapy, oxygen management, and non-invasive ventilation equipment like CPAP and BiPAP are effective options for respiratory patients, says Bolton. Another important element of respiratory therapy is ensuring the airway remains clear and unobstructed from bodily secretions that can hamper a patient’s breathing. PAM Health respiratory therapists focus on secretion management using state-of-the-art modalities including chest physiotherapy and vest therapy, Bolton says.
While these specialized hospital techniques can help patients achieve a solid foundation for lung health, patient involvement and education for self-management is absolutely essential to improving long-term lung health, Bolton adds. “Some of the easiest preventative tools for someone with lung disease are things they can do at home, like using their incentive spirometer, a deep breathing exercise tool, just a few times a day, as well as practicing diaphragmatic breathing,” she says. PAM Health’s expert therapists help patients master these tools during both inpatient and outpatient therapy sessions so they go home feeling comfortable and equipped for success. A patient’s pulmonologist can also prescribe some of these modalities for at-home use as well, like vest therapy, CPAP, and BiPAP, Bolton adds, all of which can help them stay on top of respiratory conditions before they become exacerbated.
Be Proactive About Your Respiratory Health This Holiday Season!
Education for patients, family members, and caregivers is the most essential ingredient in supporting overall lung health improvement, Bolton says, which is why PAM Health pulmonary rehab programs place such a heavy focus on it. This can encompass a wide range of topics and is unique to each patient, but some key areas can include proper inhaler technique, simple breathing exercises, and self-monitoring of oxygen saturation. Not only does self-management help prevent exacerbations, but it also can reduce re-admissions to the hospital, something everyone hopes to avoid particularly during the holidays!
Some of Bolton’s other tips for staying proactive about respiratory health during the holiday season (and all year-round!) include:
- Exercise; “Staying active is key,” Bolton says.
- Understanding respiratory triggers [link to other new respiratory health blog];
- Smoking cessation
- Energy conservation techniques
- Proper nutrition
- Family and caregiver training
- Ongoing outpatient therapy, offered at many PAM Health locations
Luckily, PAM Health’s therapists focus on teaching patients about each of these areas before discharge from both inpatient and outpatient therapy, including accessible at-home exercises, dietary planning, smoking cessation support, family involvement, and more.
If you are interested in breathing better and improving your overall lung health, find a PAM Health location near you to take the next step!
