More than 35 million adults in the US live with lung disease. This includes COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis, and other lung diseases such as Pulmonary Hypertension, Bronchiectasis, Cystic Fibrosis, Asthma and Interstitial Lung Disease (Pulmonary Fibrosis). The common denominator in all these diseases is that published medical research states that the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation are more effective than other therapies such as drugs (inhalers, steroids), and results in a better quality of life for those living with lung disease. It has been shown that Pulmonary Rehab reduces the chance of hospitalizations and improves overall longevity.
Yet, only 3% of eligible patients receive pulmonary rehabilitation. With COPD as the number one admitting diagnosis for hospitals in the San Diego area, it’s clear that most of these people are not receiving life-saving therapy. This percentage could be higher as many people with COPD never even know they have it until one day they develop shortness of breath doing an activity that never bothered them before.
At La Mesa Rehab we are passionate about early diagnosis, treatment for COPD and bringing our Pulmonary Rehab program to as many people as possible. Our program is comprehensive in that it includes a multi-disciplinary team of Respiratory Therapists, Physical Therapists and the patient’s Physician. The program includes therapeutic exercise training, medication education and management, various special respiration modalities and training in breathing techniques to improve oxygenation.
We have introduced several complimentary therapies and modalities that significantly enhance our patients results; like Vest Therapy to mobilize lung secretions; Salt Chamber Therapy (called HaloTherapy) to prevent infections and clear out mucus; Bubble Breathing Therapy to clear out dead space that accumulates in the lungs from over-inflation making breathing more difficult. Currently, no other Pulmonary Rehab program in San Diego offers these therapies.
If you, or a family member is having shortness of breath or has a known lung disease, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor about Pulmonary Rehabilitation at La Mesa Rehab to reduce infections and hospitalizations and improve your quality of life to breathe better and live longer.
