Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Pulmonary rehabilitation at Mercy Medical Center-Sioux City helps to positively change the course of severe chronic lung disease. The main goals of pulmonary rehabilitation are to help participants improve their day-to-day lives and restore their ability to function independently.

The American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation has certified Mercy's Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program. Certification recognizes those programs rigorously reviewed by a national board and found to meet the outlined essential requirements for standards of care.

For more information on Mercy’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, call 712-279-2579 or email us at hansenh@mercyhealth.com.

Who benefits from pulmonary rehabilitation?

Pulmonary rehabilitation is for people with chronic lung disease. It can also be helpful for people who need lung transplants, lung surgeries or who are experiencing disabling symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough and/or mucous production.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), which include emphysema and chronic bronchitis, are the most common chronic lung diseases and are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Pulmonary rehabilitation has become an important way to reduce the impact of COPD and other chronic lung diseases.

What is pulmonary rehabilitation?

Pulmonary rehabilitation combines exercise training and behavioral and educational programs designed to help patients control symptoms and improve day-to-day activities. It is a team approach — patients work closely with their doctors; nurses; respiratory, physical, and occupational therapists; pharmacists and dietitians.

If your illness has affected your daily living, pulmonary rehabilitation can help you:

• Reduce and control breathing difficulties and other symptoms.
• Learn more about your disease, treatment options, and coping strategies.
• Learn to manage your disease.
• Maintain healthy behaviors such as smoking cessation, good nutrition, and exercise.

Weakness of the respiratory muscles can contribute to an increase in breathlessness with any exertion. Exercise sessions are adapted to each participant’s needs to help him or her increase endurance and improve performance of daily activities.