What does the phrase ‘pulmonary rehab... - Lung Conditions C...
What does the phrase ‘pulmonary rehabilitation’ mean to you and do you feel the phrase should be changed?
Having had experience through my husband - it means a lifeline! Having said that the phrase seems outdated! I can remember mentioning it to my husband about three years ago and he just look scared! I personally feel it needs to state what it does more succinctly - eg. Learn to live again. In my opinion rehab. is linked to addictions etc. not necessarily illnesses. Just my thoughts TAD xx
I don't see how changing the name of it would make any difference. Whatever it is called would need to be explained to a person new to respiratory diseases. I had never heard the term before I was referred to take part but, well, it did exactly what it said on the tin! To rehabilitate is to make fit again, or to restore to usefulness. That's what it did for me. It made a huge difference and continues to do so.
Education is what it meant to me, what a difference to ones quality of life. It is utterly brilliant.
I don't care what it's called and I can't imagine what else it could be called if they were re-branding it.
I originally learnt about it on here and was bowled over when I was offered it by the respiratory nurse at the GP practice. I thought you had to be pretty bad to go on the course and was assured all along that the modern thinking is to get people on PR early to make a real difference to their future health.
My GP probably knew nothing about pulmonary rehabilitation.
BTW I would love it if BLF had a DVD on it, I'd certainly buy one 
Thanks for all you do
To me it means hope but Pete was not found to be suitable. It does seem to have helped so many people though which is great. I don't mind the name and if it did change what would it change to? Take care all. xxxx
Exercise and education improving lung fitness
I agree with the three people above me who have replied. Pulmonary rehabilitation is what it is. Rehabilitation is not just about drugs and alcohol. People need rehabilitation after accidents and severe spinal injuries for example. There is no need to change the name for changes sake. In fact I often joke to people I know that I am going to "rehab" at my age! As Toci says it does what it says on the tin. To me change would be pointless as the present description is accurate. All the best hugs xx
To me it means to learn new ways to breathe now we have a lung problem. It rehabilitates the lungs physically and the brain mentally into an understanding about the problem. I think it's a good description.
I think " Exercises for the lungs and education for the mind regarding pulmonary diseases " would be a bit of a mouthful !
To me, and I have never been involved in any *formal* PR program though have read many articles on the subject, it means that one learns how to utilize their remaining strength and functions more effectively, it means that one is provided with a basic education on what can be done to help them self and how to take their medications properly, and it means that they are gradually taught how to exercise effectively with their remaining lung function which has the potential to slightly reduce the rapid decline. Any immediate benefits derived from these exercises are obtained from increased efficiency in cardiovascular functioning leading to increased stamina and confidence which helps one to persevere through dyspnea. Whilst dyspnea can be reduced and performance can be improved with aerobic training, in the case of lung disease this is not achieved through "pulmonary rehabilitation" since outcomes on pulmonary function tests remain unchanged and hence the pulmonary system has not been rehabilitated. In this regard I do believe the name is a bit misleading and optimistic. I believe a more appropriate title would be something like "pulmonary management".
I have recently attended an 8 week Pulmonary Rehabilitation clinic. I have COPD Emphysema. I found the clinic soooooooo helpful and learned a lot from it. Each session had an hour of exercises (according to our fitness) and an hour's talk on subject of the week... "getting most from your inhalers", etc. So, Pulmonary Rehabilitation means learning how to cope with my illness and trying to improve my life. Hope that makes sense....
Maybe "Pulmonary Support" As when I was put on it in 2009 it showed an underlying problem but I was given some great tips on moving the gooe.
But to be fair as others have said it is a rehab for our lungs.
I think folk have no idea what it really means till they get enrolled on a course. Maybe it could have a new title eg; 'Your lungs and you' - just a thought!
I found it very worthwhile but my friends seem to think it was something to do with addiction when I said I was going to rehab. Pulmonary fitness would be a better name.
Just begun my fourth P.R. in eight years. To me it means , "MORE HELP TO FITNESS". Cheers.
I think whatever it was called you would have to explain it to people about what it's for and what happens on the course. I have just finished a course and had my first assessment - I think it was excellent and I'm trying very hard to keep on with the exercises and walk the walk every day. Take care, Lizzy.
PR is great. and it brings hope too for better breathing with better management. so Rehab or reconditioning are good words for improvement .
Never really thought about a change from rehabilitation as that is what it is. Rehabilitation of lung function which improves the breathing and for many rehab of their cigarette addiction. And Pulmonary means lungs. However the new life lung fitness programs are not so self explanatory but are based on the same idea as PR but for those with less severe illness.
I first did PR in 2008 the first in my area , I was asked to attend wearing comfortable shoes, 8 weeks course of exercise and education , since then I’ve not looked back , I attend the gym twice a week ( unless to ill) I honestly believe PR saved my life , I used sit there and let my hubby hoover around me ,,, 🙇🏼♀️ , life changed completely for me after PR , there’s not much I can’t do these days ,,, I feel fitter st 75 than I did at 55 , the name Pulmary Rehabilitation doesn’t bother me , I’m just glad I went back in 08 .
