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Pulmonary rehabilitation

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Our pulmonary rehabilitation program is the only service of its kind in the entire San Gabriel Valley. It is a six-week program designed to help patients manage their symptoms, improve tolerance of their activities of daily living, reduce hospitalizations, and improve their overall health condition and long-term outlook. The rehabilitation team and referring physician work together to provide a program tailored to meet the needs of the individual patient.

Components of the program include:

  • Development of an appropriate exercise program
  • Instruction in the use of breathing medications (bronchodilators, steroids, supplemental oxygen)
  • Breathing retraining
  • Instruction in energy conservation and pacing techniques
  • Instruction in airway clearance
  • Education in anxiety-reducing techniques to help control shortness of breath
  • Education in nutrition
  • Instruction in early recognition of signs and symptoms of respiratory infections

After completing the program, patients demonstrate an improvement in their activity/exercise tolerance and management of their disease. A maintenance exercise program is also offered to help patients maintain their level of fitness.

Who can benefit

Patients living with lung diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are candidates for our pulmonary rehabilitation program. Two of the most common diagnoses of COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. 

Use this infographic to find out how to spot and prevent COPD flare-ups.
Reviewed 11/3/2022

How to spot COPD flare-ups

Many COPD flare-ups are due to an infection. They can put you at risk of hospitalization.

Learn how to spot them early on.

COPD flare-ups: How to spot trouble

If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), symptom flare-ups could put you in the hospital. However, knowing the warning signs of a flare-up can help you take action to protect your health.

Learn how to spot a flare-up.

Head symptoms:

  • Fever.
  • Confusion.

Throat symptoms:

  • Increased mucus.
  • Mucus that is yellow, green, tan or bloody.

Chest symptoms:

  • Wheezing or increased wheezing.
  • Increased coughing.
  • Increased shortness of breath.
  • Shallow or rapid breathing that's worse than usual.

Feet/ankle symptoms:

  • Swelling in your feet or ankles.

Avoiding flare-ups:

  • Don't smoke. And avoid other triggers, like pollution and dust or fumes at work.
  • See your doctor and dentist regularly, even when you feel fine.
  • Get a flu shot every year.
  • Ask a healthcare provider about pneumonia and pertussis shots.
  • Avoid crowds during cold and flu season to lower your risk of infection.
  • Drink plenty of water to help keep mucus thin and prevent it from building up in your lungs.
  • Wash your hands regularly and use hand sanitizer to keep germs away.
  • Brush your teeth twice a day.
  • Avoid touching your mouth, eyes and nose to prevent infection.
  • Get plenty of sleep, because you're more likely to get sick when you're tired.

Handling a flare-up:

As soon as you experience signs of a COPD flare-up, contact a healthcare provider. He or she may be able to prescribe medications to prevent hospitalization.

Sources: American Lung Association; American Thoracic Society; COPD Foundation

Sources

Conditions we treat

  • COPD
  • Emphysema
  • Chronic bronchitis
  • Asthma
  • Bronchiectasis
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Restrictive lung disease
  • Chest wall disease
  • Neuromuscular diseases
  • Interstitial fibrosis
  • Lung resection
  • Lung volume reduction
  • Lung transplant

BreathSavers support and education group

BreathSavers provides health education, personal contact and social involvement to help members share the challenges and victories inherent in living with lung disease. Family, friends and those who wish to learn more about lung disease are also invited to join BreathSavers.

Monthly meetings are held in the Conference Center at Emanate Health Inter-Community Hospital. Lunch is from noon to 1 p.m., followed by an informative hour-long program. The program is free, but there is a $7 charge if you join the group for lunch.

Out and about

Besides monthly meetings, the club plans several trips throughout the year to encourage our members to get out of the house and enjoy life. Some of these outings have included Laughlin, Nev., a harbor cruise in San Pedro, concerts, picnics, ice cream socials and bingo parties. At the end of each year we have a holiday gift exchange and musical entertainment program.

Scholarship benefit

A Memorial Scholarship fund has been established through BreathSavers. The fund provides financial assistance toward the cost of enrollment in the pulmonary rehabilitation program. A doctor's referral is required to apply for the program and the applicant must meet certain financial criteria to receive the scholarship benefit.

Our Daily Breath

BreathSavers volunteers create a free monthly newsletter called Our Daily Breath. The publication contains informative articles on lung disease, diet, exercise, breathing medications, club activities and uplifting thoughts and humor.

Download an issue

2022 Publications

2021 Publications

2020 Publications

2019 Publications