The main aims of pulmonary rehabilitation are to improve the quality of your life with COPD, decrease your symptoms, boost your exercise endurance, and enhance your physical and emotional involvement in day to day life. These rehab programs can be offered to patients in the hospital (in-patients), in the community (out-patients) or in home settings.

What is involved in a pulmonary rehabilitation program can vary from program to program but most programs will include exercise training, nutrition counseling, emotional support, and education. Breathing techniques, energy conservation strategies while doing day to day tasks, nutrition, and coping with depression and anxiety are just some of the topics that can be covered in a pulmonary rehabilitation program.

In order to attend a pulmonary rehab program, you usually need to be referred to by your healthcare provider. Talk to your heathcare provider for more information. If a formal rehabilitation program is not appropriate or is not available in your area, inquire about alternatives like a home-based exercise program to help maintain an active lifestyle.