The effects of COPD
COPD changes your life. Daily activities no longer take place automatically. It can have major consequences physically, socially but also mentally. This is accompanied by a reduced physical condition due to deterioration of the lung capacity and lung function. Everything costs more energy, which in turn means that tiredness makes you move less. A vicious circle; less movement, decrease in physical condition and muscle strength, which can lead you into a negative spiral.
The COPD rehabilitation programme of MedifitReha
Our COPD rehabilitation programme is aimed at improving this combination of symptoms as much as possible. The goal of COPD rehabilitation is to improve the quality of life and reduce fatigue and shortness of breath complaints, reduce the number of exacerbations and hospitalisations. It is also likely to improve your life expectancy.
During rehabilitation, you will learn more about what COPD does to your body and how you can cope with it. An important goal of rehabilitation is to improve your quality of life and reduce hospital admissions due to exacerbations. This means improving your physical condition, reducing fatigue and shortness of breath. You will also receive tips and advice on how to better manage your energy and what that means for you in daily life.
Most patients benefit greatly from this multidisciplinary COPD rehabilitation programme at Medifit. This is also thanks to the pleasant climate and the extremely clean Mediterranean air at the Costa Blanca.
How does the COPD rehabilitation programme look like?
With COPD a multidisciplinary revalidation programme approach is necessary. This rehabilitation programme is supervised by therapists specialised in lung problems, a Dutch lung specialist and the rehabilitation specialist. In addition to rehabilitation training, ergotherapy, exercise therapy, cycling and walking training, sports activities, this programme also devotes attention to an education programme, dietary advice, psychological and social support.
With COPD, a multidisciplinary approach is necessary. The rehabilitation programme is supervised by specialised COPD therapists, rehabilitation doctor and a Dutch lung specialist.
The programme consists of various components that are well attuned to each other. Work is done to improve the physical condition: lung complaints, stamina, muscle strength, stress, breathing pattern and nutritional status. In addition, there are programme components aimed at reducing the limitations experienced in daily life. People learn to make the right adjustments to achieve the best possible quality of life and independence. In consultation with our Dutch lung specialist and rehabilitation specialist, the treatment programme is tailored to the personal situation of each patient.
Within the rehabilitation programme, the following aspects are addressed:
- Power, condition and mobility
- Food
- Smoking
- Breathing techniques
- Relaxation therapy
- Dealing with energy and fatigue
- Medication/inhalers and information
- possible adaptations in daily life
- Social problems (work, contacts, etc)
- Psychological problems (dealing with chronic illness, depression, etc)
- education/information COPD
- etc
