About 16 million people have the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Besides the high prevalence, COPD is the fourth major cause of death in the US. What’s more, the condition leads to disabilities.
COPD can limit your daily activities. You might not even know you are ailing from the disease until its later stages. When diagnosed with COPD, you should seek treatment immediately.
The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has no known cure. Adopting several lifestyle changes and treatments can help. Respiratory therapy is one of the effective treatment approaches for COPD.
If you or someone you know is suffering from pulmonary disease, discover what respiratory therapy is and how it can help.
An Overview of Respiratory Therapy
Respiratory therapy is the evaluation and treatment of chronic cardiopulmonary conditions. The therapy can treat asthma, lung cancer, bronchitis, pneumonia, and emphysema. A respiratory therapist works with nurses and doctors to improve your condition.
The therapists check your breathing before advising on the right therapy. They can recommend ways to improve your symptoms. You’ll need several sessions for progress monitoring.
Some respiratory patients never follow up on treatment. The incurable nature of COPD is discouraging. Yet, a change of lifestyle and other therapies can make a difference. Chronic COPD diagnosis should not equate to a death sentence.
Between 2017 and 2018, drug prices in the US rose by 6%. Following the rising cost, alternative therapies are necessary. With the broad nature of respiratory diseases, the therapeutic options are extensive.
Various forms of this therapy include;
One of conventional respiratory therapy is oxygen. The use of oxygen for patients suffering from respiratory diseases is common in hospitals and homes. This non-pharmacological treatment prolongs the survival of patients and relieves symptoms.
A therapist needs to make an accurate assessment before prescribing oxygen. The severity and nature of the condition determine the method of oxygen administration. For COPD treatment, the flow of oxygen should be low to avoid carbon dioxide retention.
For home-based care, this kind of therapy can be long-term. Oxygen therapy improves their life expectancy of patients with advanced COPD. There is a need to administer oxygen treatment daily to achieve the intended purpose.
Physiotherapy is one of the approaches that help to clear all respiratory secretions. Patients with acute COPD can have irritating bronchial secretions. Forced expiration and postural drainage are some of the physiotherapy techniques used.
As part of pulmonary rehabilitation, a respiratory therapist can train a patient on muscle training and exercise. Patients can embrace this technique for wellness longevity.
Surgical treatment is a therapy technique that addresses several respiratory diseases. The treatment is ideal for bronchial carcinoma. In extreme cases, the procedure might involve the removal of a lobe or a whole lung.
Different forms of pharmacological therapy include;
Prednisolone is one of the commonly used corticosteroids in treating respiratory diseases. It as an inflammatory agent that helps in treating COPD and asthma when inhaled. Intravenous and orally-ingested steroids have been at the forefront in treating acute asthma.
Bronchodilation is one of the most effective pharmacological respiratory therapy. Bronchodilators relax the muscles of the airways. They treat COPD and asthma in children and adults.
Β-sympathomimetic agonists are the most popular type of bronchodilators. You can inhale the dose for rapid effectiveness. The drug is either in the form of soft mist or dry powder. Consult with your doctor to know the precise dosage based on your ailment.
Antibiotics complete a respiratory therapy program. Read more about the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to understand the need for antibiotics. For COPD, a doctor can prescribe 5 to 10 days of antibiotics.
Treatment of respiratory infections with antibiotics seeks to eliminate the pathogens. Yet, most COPD strains are viral, which contradicts the use of antibiotics. With time, the condition becomes more of a bacterial infection characterized by purulent sputum.
Other drugs, such as diuretics and cytotoxic drugs, are useful in the treatment of diverse pulmonary diseases. These drugs should be solely under your doctor’s prescription.
Your therapist might recommend a pleural aspiration to improve your respiratory system. The procedure is a respiratory therapy aimed at removing the fluid that accumulates around the lungs. This process involves the insertion of tubes or small needles within the pleural space.
Therapeutic bronchoscopy controls bronchial hemorrhage. The procedure can also remove large plugs of mucus from your airways. It further clears any obstruction resulting from nonmalignant and malignant conditions.
Types of Respiratory Therapy
Respiratory therapists specialize in one or more types of therapies. These professionals address several cases of pulmonary diseases. Check them out to know how to guide a friend suffering from any respiratory condition.
Adult Respiratory Therapy
This kind of therapy occurs in hospitals or homes. A respiratory therapist provides routine care to a patient with chronic respiratory disease. A therapist can also assist adults struggling to quit cigarette smoking.
Emergency Respiratory Therapy
Emergency respiratory therapy takes place within hospitals. When a patient is in an emergency room after heart surgery, these RTs assist. They help in the operations and management of life support machines.
Geriatric Respiratory Therapy
Older people are prone to lung failure. When one reaches 65 years, COPD is common. Respiratory therapy improves breathing for older adults.
Pediatric Respiratory Therapy
For children or newborns with cardiopulmonary problems, pediatric therapy is recommendable. These RTs work in inpatient units and in neonatal ICU. When you need outpatient care for a child, you can plan with a respiratory therapist for personalized home care.
Respiratory Therapy Is One of the Effective COPD Treatments Available For Patients
With the broad scope of respiratory therapy, patients must seek the guidance of an RT once diagnosed with the condition. A qualified therapist can guide you on the most effective technique. A combination of some of these therapies can improve your standard of life.
The incurable nature of COPD should not deter you from seeking alternatives. You can manage the symptoms and be productive. However, you’ll need to change your lifestyle and quiet activities such as smoking.
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