Lung rehabilitation (after pneumonia, with COPD)
lung rehab · pulmonary rehabilitation · breathing exercises · recovery after pneumonia · COPD rehab
These are sessions that teach you to breathe more easily and move more. They include exercises, breathing practice and everyday tips.
After pneumonia, or with long-term lung disease, when shortness of breath gets in the way of walking and work.
⏱ Duration: a session usually takes 45 to 90 minutes; a course usually lasts several weeks
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Check-up. Before the course, your breathing and heart are usually checked, and sometimes a walking test is done.
- Inhalers. Do not stop on your own. Use them as usual and bring them with you.
- Food. Do not eat a heavy meal 1 to 2 hours before the session.
- Clothing. Loose clothes and comfortable sports shoes.
What to bring
- Your inhalers and a list of medicines
- Discharge papers and test results
- Sports clothes
- Water
How it goes
- The doctor asks how you feel and checks the oxygen in your blood
- You learn to breathe slowly and through pursed lips
- Walking or exercise bike at a pace you can manage
- Exercises for arms and legs
- You are shown how to cope with an attack of breathlessness
- You get an exercise plan for home
What you'll feel
- You may feel short of breath during exercise. The pace is set to suit you
- Muscles may ache after the first sessions
- After a few weeks, walking usually gets easier
Afterwards
- Exercise at home following the plan between visits
- Quitting smoking helps your lungs a lot
- Move every day and increase the effort little by little
Contact a doctor straight away if
- Breathlessness does not ease at rest, lips turn blue: call your local emergency number
- Chest pain: call your local emergency number
- Fever above 38 and your cough gets worse
Common questions
Can I exercise if I get very breathless?
Yes, the sessions are matched to your condition. The load is raised gradually.
Do I need to keep going after the course?
Yes. If you stop exercising, the improvement slowly fades.