Your path to better breathing at NMC Health
At NMC Health, we want to help you breathe better. Pulmonary Rehabilitation plays an important role in managing chronic respiratory disease and other lung problems.
Research shows that pulmonary rehabilitation can provide the greatest improvements in symptoms, exercise capacity and health-related quality of life of any therapy available for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
This type of program also has shown to be effective with other respiratory disorders, like chronic asthma, cystic fibrosis and other restrictive lung diseases.
If you have a medical emergency, call 911 or visit the NMC Health Medical Center Emergency Department.
Your Care Team
NMC Health’s pulmonary rehab program is made up of a team of registered nurses (RNs), pharmacists and dietitians.
Overseen by our program’s medical director, the team will create a treatment plan specific to your needs, based on your condition and medical concerns.
What to expect
You will meet with your team twice a week for 18 weeks. At the beginning of the program, you will be evaluated to determine what track of the program is best for you.
In addition the to customized plan, you will receive:
- Education on exercise and nutrition
- Information on pulmonary disease management
- Lifestyle change support
- Smoking cessation resources (if applicable)
- Stress management tools
Education Topics
Throughout the program, you will learn about:
- Changes that happen to your lungs if you have COPD and other respiratory diseases
- Breathing retraining techniques
- Medicine management
- How to use an inhaler correctly
- The relationship between nutrition and COPD
- Infection control and when to call the doctor
- Energy conservation
Our Pulmonary Rehabilitation Equipment
You will attend the pulmonary rehabilitation program at NMC Health Medical Center. The rehab gym is equipped with specialized exercise equipment to help meet your specific needs. Our high-tech NuStep machines are designed for rehabilitation. They allow anyone, regardless of age or ability, to take steps in increasing their strength and ability.
Our gym also includes aerobic and resistance exercise equipment like treadmills, free weights, upper body bicycles and resistance bands.
During each of your sessions, you will wear a heart and oxygen monitor so your team can keep track of your heartbeat and breathing. You’ll be coached on how to exercise at a rate that will bring you the maximum benefit and prevent you from becoming too tired to continue.
How to sign up for pulmonary rehabilitation at NMC Health
In order to be part of the pulmonary rehabilitation program at NMC Health, you’ll need a doctor’s order. Visit with your pulmonologist or your family doctor if you think you would benefit from this program. Then, call 316.804.6242 and our pulmonary rehabilitation team will help you get a referral.
FAQs
If you suffer from a lung disease or issues with shortness of breath, talk with your doctor about whether pulmonary rehabilitation might benefit you.
Those with of the following diagnoses may be a good candidate for pulmonary rehabilitation:
- COPD (Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis)
- Gold Class II through IV
- Restrictive lung diseases (Sarcoidosis, Cystic Fibrosis, Pulmonary Fibrosis)
- Chronic Asthma
- Long COVID
Pulmonary rehabilitation has many benefits and can improve your quality of life. If you suffer from a chronic respiratory disease, pulmonary rehabilitation can help you improve your condition and lead a more active life. Through education in exercise and nutrition, you will have the tools necessary to lead a healthier lifestyle.
The length of your program depends on the specialized care plan set up by our medical staff. They will ask you questions about your medical history and work with you to create a treatment plan tailored to your level of comfort and desired outcomes. A typical plan may consist of at least two sessions a week for an hour at a time, lasting a few months.
Medicare covers all pulmonary rehabilitation patients who qualify and is also covered by most insurance companies. Check with your insurance provider to confirm your coverage. You can also see if your insurance is on our list of covered insurance plans.
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