Pulmonary Therapy
Pulmonary therapy is a
treatment and teaching program for people with breathing problems, such as
asbestos-related diseases (1). It helps these people to make the best use of the lungs they have, so they can live a higher quality of life. Pulmonary therapy is the best treatment option currently available for patients with
asbestosis-better than any drug or medication (1).
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Pulmonary therapy is done by respiratory therapists and nurses (2). It sometimes includes other aspects of a patient's life, with psychologists to help with depression, exercise specialists, and dieticians (2). A patient needs a doctor's prescription to participate (2).
One therapy technique is called postural draining. Here, the technician positions a patient's body so that mucus drains naturally from the lungs (1). Sometimes the technicians help move the stuff out by vibrating or clapping their hands on the patient's chest.
The technicians also teach their patients breathing techniques that help ease shortness of breath. These techniques include pursed lip breathing and abdominal or diaphragm breathing (1). They also teach relaxation techniques, so the patients need less oxygen from their lungs for their daily activities (1).
Pulmonary therapy technicians also help asbestosis patients with exercise appropriate to their condition (2). Although it's natural for people who have trouble breathing to want to "take it easy," exercise under a doctor's supervision actually improves the efficiency of their lungs, so these patients can be more active with less oxygen (2). This means they can stay independent longer than patients who don't exercise.