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• Dec 02, 2019

Limitations and Role of Exercises in Patients Post Lung Replacement

Overview Of Lung Replacement:

Lung Replacement is the only and most efficient therapeutic possibility for patients with end-stage lung diseases. It can help you to improve the quality of life and improve the chances of survival. Critical lung diseases include :

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases(COPD).
• Cystic Fibrosis and
• Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

The lung transplantation fails to provide the expected results alone. If you want to get over the disease faster and better, you have to add physical exercises in your daily routine. But then, at the same time, it is impossible for patients with Lung Replacement to undertake all forms of physical activities.

Continue to read the blog to know what all exercises a lung transplant patient can perform, and what are his limitations?

Lung Replacement Exercises Post Rehabilitation

Pulmonary Rehabilitation or pulmonary exercise training program is a particular physical exercise routine for patients with limited lung reserve. However, it helps them to stay fit and healthy. It makes the patients improve the functionality of lungs as well as recover from the surgery.

On exercising in a rehabilitation centre, it is also possible for your trainers and medical team to analyse the condition of your new lungs. Do your lungs maintain the stability even while you exert exponentially or continue to remain in a healthy state? After the proper analysis, the healthcare team designs your exercise program accordingly.

What Is The Usual Response Of The Body In A Patient With Lung Replacement?

 Initiating with physical activities increases the circulation of air in the body. It enhances the rate and depth of breathing. The proper respiration or introduction of adequate oxygen in the body after Lung Replacement helps to keep your lung muscles as well as the heart-healthy, due to better or necessary performance.

The new lungs in your body now know or can control how much air must enter the body with each breath. If your lungs can maintain the balance between the demand and supply of the oxygen in the body with your exercise regime; you can continue with the exercises. However, if after your routine practices, you are short of breath, your trainer will rephrase your routine.

It is not essential to start with your daily workout, to enhance the oxygen content in your body, but it also supports to remove excess carbon-di-oxide from your lungs. It is feasible to remove all the lactic acid produced in the body during your physical training session by a balanced respiratory system.

What Are The Exercises Introduced In A Patient’s Schedule After Lung Replacement?

There is a fundamental and standard routine for most of the patients with Lung Replacement. It includes:

• Endurance Training:

This programme typically contains a high-intensity workout for at least 30 to 45 minutes a day. The patient is under complete guidance and supervision during endurance training. The healthcare experts recommend endurance activities for three to 4 times a week. This training is essential to improve the strength and stamina of the body.

• Interval Training:

To enhance the capacity of the body for exercising and complete a particular task within a defined time. However, there exist small breaks in between two different activities to maintain the average breathing rate in the body. The trainer usually adds these exercise for alternate days in your routine.

• Cardiac Exercises:

Cardiac or aerobic practices maintain the fitness level in the human body. It enhances the flow of oxygen, supports your heart-rate and also burn the calories. In short, it is the primary physical activity in the routine of every patient. If you are overweight and trying to lose those extra pounds, cardiac exercises are helpful. The healthcare experts suggest to take up with cardiac activities for a minimum of 20 to 30 minutes each day. However, they supervise you and recommends brisk walking or stationary cycling.

• Resistance Training:

Resistance training or weight training is an activity that focuses on the particular muscle of your body. It includes arms, legs, abs, back etc. During, the resistance training your trainer is always around you to give you the necessary guidance and ensure sure safety. He makes sure that you do not go for heavy weight lifting as it may lead to worsening of your situation.

Physical activities are part of your daily routine after Lung Replacement to remain in a healthy condition. The healthcare experts also suggest you opt for specific therapies, meditation and breathing exercises to maintain the physical and mental balance.

For patients undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation, trainers set up a perfect blend between high intensity and low-intensity exercises. It is essential to maintain the balance in the heart and the respiratory system and also, to avoid any exertion in the body. In short, you have to perform the physical activities but with certain limitations and restrictions.

Exercise Limitations In Patients After Lung Replacement:

There are controlled physical activities for patients with Lung Replacement, and they have defined boundaries. These workout restrictions are:

• Limit your workout session to 45 minutes or one hour. Do not go for prolonged sessions.
• Always ask your trainer before beginning with a new activity.
• Make sure you do not perform intense exercises in the absence of your healthcare expert.
• Never go for outdoor cardiac activities, at least for six months.
• Along with exercises, intermediate rest is essential or else it may lead to severe consequences.
• Never opt for heavyweights while training. It may put considerable pressure on your lungs and heart.
• Relaxing exercises are equally important. Do not miss out on them.
• If you suffer uneasiness during your exercise session, stop and immediately report to your trainer. Rush to see the doctor, if necessary.
• Exercise should be a necessary part of your daily routine, irrespective of any concerns. You have to dedicate one hour for physical practices even after leaving the rehabilitation centre. It is as vital as medicines and surgery.

Now, the question is, why there are restrictions or limitations after Lung Replacement for physical activities?

Reasons For Trouble In Exercises After Lung Replacement:

Healthcare experts put limitations in your workout training because:

• Your health condition may lead to shortness of breath and ultimately affect the structure and function of the respiratory system of the body.
• Any uneasiness during exercises may build anxiety in the patient. The result may be the development of fear and unwillingness to do the task ever again.
• Your lungs after replacement do not get to the desired function, immediately. It may take considerable time to regain functionality. It is not recommended to put pressure on the lungs until complete recovery.
• Intense exercises can lead to deconditioning of your muscles as these muscles become stiff and weak after the Lung Replacement. You have to give sufficient time to regain lost muscle strength and mobility.
• Not following the limitations of the exercises can even lead to failure of the Lung Replacement and ultimately prove to be fatal.

Final Words:

Taking all the things into consideration, we can conclude that; it is necessary to exercise after Lung Replacement to maintain physical fitness. At the same time, you must not violet the restrictions else you may have to suffer severe consequences.

Consider visiting the doctor for a periodic checkup to know your health condition. Listen and follow the instructions of both your doctor and trainer to recover faster and better. Make exercising the necessary part of your daily routine after Lung Replacement to improve your life expectancy. Do not miss on physical activities just like you do not miss on your daily chores like bathing, brushing, eating etc.

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