Next to your skin, your lungs are the largest organs in your body by size, and just like all of your organs, they need to be healthy to perform critical tasks.
Your lungs act almost like muscles; they need to be trained through exercise and provided the proper diet to take on the work needed to keep oxygen coming in and carbon dioxide going out.
4 Things To Gain From Pulmonary Rehab
The benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation are far reaching and can be an advantage to those looking to limit the effects of their chronic lung disease and improve their lungs.
Lung disease has many effects on lung function. Specifically it can keep you from breathing in enough air. The breathing exercises at a pulmonary rehabilitation class can help open up the lungs to increase general capacity and your blood oxygen level.
2. Better Circulation
Part of your rehabilitation will include general cardiovascular exercise. This will likely include stationary arm and leg exercises. A healthier heart means better movement of the oxygen in your blood to the rest of your body. For those with a low blood-oxygen level due to lung disease, this can make a huge difference.
3. Proper Dieting
A large part of rehabilitation has to do with what you eat. A good diet for someone with a lung disease will include oxygen-rich foods, meals designed for lung detox and even some natural remedies. All of these additions to your diet can help increase blood flow, lung function and oxygenation.
4. Education
Knowledge is power. Being informed about your condition and about your lungs is just as important as exercising and dieting. All pulmonary rehabilitation classes have one thing in common: they rely on self-management when you are outside of the clinic.
Given that most people that suffer from lung disease also smoke cigarettes, the very first step in improving your lungs is to quit smoking.
After you have talked to a pulmonologist, start a comprehensive program to not just manage your lung disease but to treat it. Make sure to include a pulmonary rehabilitation class to help keep you informed and healthy.
Always consult with your doctor on developing a treatment plan that is best for you.
Christine Kingsley, APRN is the Health and Wellness Director at the Lung Institute where she focuses on providing helpful online resources for people looking for information on various lung diseases, breathing exercises, and healthy lifestyle choices. She advocates for holistic care that involves working with your doctor to explore all options including traditional and alternative care while focusing on diet and exercise as proactive measures.
