What is Pulmonary Health and Conditioning?

The Pulmonary Health and Conditioning Service is for people with chronic breathing problems. It helps you to manage your breathing by conditioning your heart and lungs and by teaching you how to recognize warning signs.
The goal of Pulmonary Health and Conditioning is to improve quality of life by increasing your daily activities and giving you tools to manage your breathing concerns.
The service is provided by a health care team. The team works together to provide a program that is especially designed for you and for your needs. The Pulmonary Health and Conditioning Service at North Country Hospital takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for two hours each day. The program is eight weeks long, but depending on your needs, it can be shorter or longer.

Who May Attend?
You should talk with your doctor about this program if you are often short of breath or have been told you have emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, fibrosis, or other chronic lung diseases. A referral from your doctor is needed to participate in the program. Also, to participate, you should be smoke free or involved in a program to quit smoking.

Who is on the Health Care Team for this Service?
Your Doctor
Respiratory Therapists
Physical Therapists
Occupational Therapists
Registered Nurses
Pharmacists
Nutritionist
Social Worker

What Will I Learn and Do in this Program?
You will participate in exercises that condition your body. Some of these are:

• Upper and lower extremity training
• Endurance training
• Strength training
• Flexibility
• Respiratory muscle training
• Energy conservation

You will learn how to control your symptoms and manage your disease.
Some of the topics you will learn about:

• What foods are better for you and which foods should you avoid
• How to identify warning signs of your disease and act on them quickly
• How to manage your stress
• How oxygen therapy can help you
• Medications you take for your breathing
• Equipment that helps you to breathe better
• How make your travel and leisure time easier
• How exercise can improve your breathing
• How to make your work a little easier

Remember, your doctor needs to refer you to participate in
Pulmonary Health & Conditioning Services

If you have questions about this program contact your doctor or call:

David Ingram, Manager Respiratory Care Services
North Country Hospital
Newport, Vermont
802-334-3574