For most people, breathing is automatic and something you don’t spend much time thinking about—unless you suffer from chronic pulmonary disease. There are many types of pulmonary diseases, most of which stem from chronic lung disease. If you suffer from emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, bronchiectasis, pulmonary fibrosis, or interstitial lung disease, you probably have experienced the stress and anxiety that come from living with a chronic condition that affects your breathing and your life.
Except for transplant situations, damage to the lungs cannot be repaired. But there are ways to compensate. Pulmonary rehabilitation strengthens the rest of the body, so that your lungs don’t have to work so hard. Physical exercise optimizes your body’s ability to use the lung function that’s available and, equally as important, enhances mental and emotional well-being.
The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program includes up to 36 one-hour rehabilitation sessions. A physician referral is required, and a six-minute walk test or a cardiopulmonary stress test must be completed before beginning the program. In addition, you must have completed a pulmonary function test within one year prior to starting rehabilitation. These diagnostic tests assist the rehabilitation team in developing an exercise program that is specific to your needs and abilities.
We also offer a Pulmonary Rehabilitation Maintenance Program in which you can continue exercising a few times each week for a minimal fee.
CentraState’s comprehensive Pulmonary Rehabilitation program reduces the impact of pulmonary disease on your daily life. It helps to:
- Reduce shortness of breath and associated anxiety
- Increase exercise tolerance and the ability to perform normal daily activities
- Improve your ability to participate in physical and social activities
- Provide a better understanding of your disease and how to manage it
- Reduce the need for and frequency of hospitalization
- Improve your overall quality of life
CentraState’s specially-trained, experienced pulmonary rehabilitation team can help you overcome any fear of exercising by easing you into the appropriate exercise program and clearly establishing your individual limits. Fears eventually dissolve as you experience the benefits of exercise and your ability to improve your overall health.
The rehabilitation team conducts a support group dedicated to people with chronic pulmonary disease. Participants are able to share stories with others who are experiencing similar challenges, and obtain new information about managing their disease.
PULMONARY REHAB REQUIREMENTS
Prior to starting pulmonary rehabilitation, you must have completed a pulmonary function test within the last year and recently completed a stress test or six-minute walk test.
Tracy's Story
Tracy's Story
Tracy Vitulli of Freehold was running the bases during a softball game years ago when he suddenly couldn’t catch his breath – and then couldn’t get out of bed for several days. A longtime smoker, Tracy learned he had emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), two conditions that cause irreversible lung damage. “I gained an oxygen tank and a...Read More >
Sandy's Story
Sandy's Story
For about a year, Sandy Gordon of Colts Neck had labored breathing when performing tasks such as climbing stairs, and just thought it was part of the aging process. When her breathing didn’t improve, she visited Kenneth D. Barofsky, MD, board-certified internal medicine physician and on staff at CentraState and did the breathing test, and he diagnosed her with COPD. COPD, or...Read More >
PULMONOLOGISTS
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Samuel Krachman, DO
Pulmonary Disease, Sleep Medicine
Nirav N. Shah, DO
Critical Care, Pulmonary Disease
Frank Coppolino, MD
Pulmonary Disease
John DeTullio, MD
Critical Care, Pulmonary Disease
Rajagopalan Rengan, DO
Critical Care, Pulmonary Disease, Sleep Medicine
Kenneth Barofsky, MD
Critical Care, Pulmonary Disease
VJ
Vivek Jayaschandran, MD
Critical Care, Pulmonary Disease
NK
Navjot Kaur, MD
Critical Care, Pulmonary Disease, Sleep Medicine
