Increase Your Lung Capacity with Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Breathing is a vital automatic function that sustains life by maintaining blood oxygen levels and removing carbon dioxide from the body. While this process occurs naturally, lung function isn’t beyond your influence. With targeted exercises, you can enhance lung capacity, the amount of air your lungs hold at one time, and improve respiratory health.

Studies show that improving lung capacity and function positively affects quality of life and general well-being.

At Respacare in Bridgewater, New Jersey, our team of pulmonologists specialize in pulmonary rehabilitation, offering comprehensive programs that help our patients with breathing disorders improve lung health.

Here, we want to explain how we use pulmonary rehabilitation to improve lung capacity and overall health.

What is lung capacity?

Lung capacity is the amount of air your lungs can hold at one time. The total lung capacity for a healthy adult is about 6 liters, roughly equal to 1.5 gallons. The more air your lungs can hold, the easier it is to breathe, even during physical activity.

As you get older, lung capacity naturally declines, making activities like climbing the stairs and carrying groceries a little more challenging. For people with chronic respiratory conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, reduced lung capacity may be part of the disease process that affects quality of life.

By taking proactive steps to maintain and strengthen your lungs, you can minimize or halt changes in lung function from age or disease. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a structured program that can help you achieve this.

About pulmonary rehabilitation

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a medically supervised program designed to enhance lung function. Tailored to individual needs, pulmonary rehab programs typically include:

Exercise

Exercise forms the cornerstone of pulmonary rehab. The program incorporates endurance and strength-training routines that challenge the lungs to build strength and efficiency.

We begin with low-intensity workouts and slowly increase the intensity as your fitness and lung function improve.

Tips for managing breathlessness

Going about your normal routine is challenging when it makes you short of breath. We address this pulmonary rehab, teaching techniques like pursed-lip breathing or diaphragmatic breathing to help you manage breathlessness during normal activities.

Chest physical therapy

Clearing mucus from the lungs is crucial for many patients with chronic respiratory issues. Chest physical therapy may include breathing and coughing techniques, the use of a vibrating device to break up mucus, or positioning to increase mucus drainage. These therapies can ease breathing and improve lung function.

Nutrition

Good nutrition is also vital to lung health. Your pulmonary rehab program may include tailored nutrition plans that align with your goals. For example, increasing protein may help strengthen respiratory muscles, while reducing sodium may minimize fluid buildup in the lungs.

Education

Understanding your condition is key for effective management. Our team educates you about your condition, explaining how medical interventions and lifestyle changes can improve your health.

Can pulmonary rehabilitation help me?

Pulmonary rehabilitation is recommended for individuals with COPD, asthma, cystic fibrosis, and breathing-related sleep disorders like sleep apnea and snoring. It’s also beneficial for people experiencing persistent shortness of breath during daily activities or those who want to reduce their reliance on supplemental oxygen.

Before starting a program, we conduct a comprehensive evaluation to determine the best course of action. This might include:

Based on this information, we create a rehabilitation program that includes in-office and at-home therapies that meet your needs and goals.

Are you tired of feeling winded climbing stairs? Do you want to reduce your dependence on supplemental oxygen? Pulmonary rehabilitation at Respacare can help you breathe easier and live better.

Call us today at 732-356-9950 or request an appointment online to learn more about pulmonary rehabilitation at Respcare.