Horizon Health Offers Pulmonary Rehabilitation

New program helps patients with chronic breathing problems

Horizon Health has a new program for patients who have chronic breathing conditions.

The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program combines exercise, education, and support to help participants learn to breathe and function at the highest level possible. The outpatient program is run by Horizon Health’s Respiratory Therapy Department, in conjunction with Cardiac Rehabilitation.

“Living with a chronic respiratory problem can be extremely limiting to a person’s life,” said Mike Marx, RRT, respiratory therapy manager. “This new program offers a friendly group environment where patients participate in supervised exercise, learn to cope with their condition, and improve their quality of life. Additionally, pulmonary rehabilitation has been proven to reduce the rate at which patients are readmitted to the hospital.”

To qualify for the program, a patient must be diagnosed with a respiratory condition that causes a significant limitation or handicap. This may include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure (CHF), asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, or lung cancer, to name a few. These conditions often limit a person’s social and leisure activities, employment, and personal independence. The program is designed to help patients regain control of their everyday activities that have been limited due to breathing difficulties.

“This program offers hope for patients to rebuild their strength and enjoy a more full, active life,” Marx said. “It can also improve lung function and reduce the severity of symptoms.”

Respiratory therapists work closely with each patient to manage his or her breathing problem, increase stamina, and decrease breathlessness during cardiovascular and strengthening exercises. The therapists educate patients about the use of medications/inhalers, breathing techniques, nutrition, home oxygen, and more.

Patients participate in pulmonary rehabilitation for one hour per day, three days a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) at Horizon Health. The program lasts 12 weeks. Sessions are held in the new Rehabilitation Services building located behind Paris Community Hospital.

A medical referral is required to participate in the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program. For more information, contact Mike Marx at (217) 466-4374 or mmarx@myhorizonhealth.org.