Celebrating 20 Years of Breathing Easier
Courtney Carter
/ Categories: WELLNESS, 2024

Celebrating 20 Years of Breathing Easier

Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Helping you live beyond the limits of your lung disease.

Since opening its doors in 2015, SVMC’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) program has improved the health and lives of hundreds of patients who once struggled to breathe.

A supervised eight-week education and exercise program, PR addresses the specific needs and goals of patients living with:

  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

  • emphysema

  • chronic bronchitis

  • asthma

  • interstitial lung disease

  • pulmonary fibrosis

  • lung cancer

  • and other chronic lung diseases

 

The benefits of PR at SVMC are hard to dispute. The stats show that: 

67% of participants report improved endurance.

62% of participants report a substantial decrease in shortness of breath.

52% of participants report a notable reduction in anxiety.

44% of participants report significant improvements in depression.

41% of participants report a marked improvement in their quality of life.

 

The program is customized to the abilities of each patient. Treatment plans are developed with the input and expertise of SVMC Pulmonologists (lung doctors) and trained physical and respiratory therapists. Teaching proper breathing techniques at rest and during exertion helps patients regain control of their breathing.  Supervised exercise sessions help patients safely build stamina.

In addition to exercise, PR features an educational component designed to help patients better manage symptoms, deal with the mental and emotional toll of living with chronic lung disease and learn energy conservation techniques that can lead to improved health.

Most patients participate in PR two times a week for eight weeks. Upon completion, patients can continue exercising twice a week (for a small fee) in a maintenance program to ensure they retain the progress and function gained.

While PR can’t cure lung disease, it can significantly help with fatigue and shortness of breath, and make it possible to engage in daily activities impacted by your condition—things like dressing, bathing, cooking, and cleaning for yourself, grocery shopping, and enjoying time out with friends and family.  In some cases, it can even reduce flare-ups and dependence on supplemental oxygen.

If you or a loved one are struggling with a chronic lung disease, contact SVMC's Pulmonary Rehab program at (802) 447-5039 to learn how PR can help you start breathing better and living easier.

 

Caitlyn Boyd, PT, DPT, Certificate in Pulmonary Rehab AARC/AACVPR, is a physical therapist and the Pulmonary Rehab Program Coordinator at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center.

 

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Why Dental Hygiene is More Important than Ever

You may have heard that COVID-19 has inspired physicians to offer online appointments. For many health concerns, you can meet with your physician using your phone or computer and get care that is very similar to what you would have received in the office.

Regular dental check-ups and treatments, though, certainly cannot be done remotely. And the masks patients wear to prevent passing germs in other in-person medical visits cannot be worn during a dental appointment. These factors make it difficult to deliver safe dental care during this time. In fact, most dentists' offices have been closed for much of the pandemic. They will likely remain closed until we determine how to provide care safely.

Taking good care of your teeth and gums at home contributes to good oral health and good general health, too. A strong oral-health routine can help lessen the need for extensive dental care and some other types of care in the future. For all of these reasons, your at-home dental care routine is more important than ever.

Brush Twice You've likely heard the same message since grade school: brush at least twice a day. Not much, including even a pandemic, will change that. Be sure to use a fluoride toothpaste, and aim to spend about 2 minutes to clean your whole mouth.

Doing so decreases the amount of bacteria in your mouth and limits the formation of plaque. Bacteria and plaque can build up and cause painful cavities. Skipping brushing can also lead to gum disease.

Clean Between Teeth Daily Whether you use floss, an interdental brush, an oral irrigator, or a toothpick, you should clean between your teeth every day. What method is best? Just like exercise, the best method is the one that you will consistently do.

Follow a Healthy Diet As if you needed another reason to avoid sugary beverages and snacks! The link between sugar intake and cavities is very well established. And treatments for cavities are among the most common that dentists perform. Avoiding sugar will improve your oral health and will likely make a positive impact on your overall health, as well.

These tips represent general recommendations that would be appropriate for most patients. Your dentist might have additional recommendations for you, including mouth rinses or other specific steps you can take to maintain your dental health during COVID-19 and beyond.

If you have questions, give your dentist’s office a call. Even if they are not right in the office, they will likely provide a way for you to reach out to get your questions answered.

Michael Brady, DDS, is the medical director of SVMC Dentistry.

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