lecture 7

Question 1

common respiratory disease

Answer 1

• 3 million Canadians have serious lung disease
• “Canada is facing a wave of chronic respiratory diseases.
Since many of these diseases can be tied to an aging
population, the number of people with respiratory
diseases can be expected to increase. The corresponding
increase in demand for services will pose a significant
challenge for the health care system”.

Question 2

asthma

Answer 2

• When bronchi are extra
sensitive to triggers
(smoke, pollution,
chemicals…) they become
irritated and inflamed and
the muscles surrounding
them constrict
(bronchoconstriction)
• Wheezing, coughing, chest
tightness, Shortness of
breath

Question 3

chronic bronchitis

Answer 3

• Inflammation of the
bronchi walls causing
excessive mucous
production
• Cough and restricted
air flow

Question 4

emphysema

Answer 4

• Over-inflation and
eventual destruction of
alveoli
• Air becomes trapped in
lungs and individual
has trouble exhaling
• Loss of lung’s ability to
exchange oxygen

Question 5

exercise benefits for respiratory disease

Answer 5

Exercise does not improve O2 uptake in lungs but
reconditions CV system to compensate
• Reduced ventilatory requirement at given work rate
• Small improvement in lung volumes (reduced
hyperinflation and air trapping)
• Desensitizes dyspnea (may be activity-specific)
• Lessens breathlessness and related anxiety
• Strengthens/stretches breathing muscles

Question 6

exercise considerations

Answer 6

• Walking, swimming, cycling, muscle conditioning and tai
chi/stretching
• Kyphosis and related upper body changes
• Individuals with lung disease almost always deconditioned
• Leg weakness common
• May need O2

Question 7

breathlessness

Answer 7

• Being breathless is
anxiety inducing
• Use dyspnea scale:
• Work with Respiratory
Therapists for
breathing exercises,
med use and O2 use

Question 8

during activity, avoid triggers

Answer 8

• Cool dry air
• Perfumes/strong
scents
• Pollution
• Cut grass & pollen
• Smoke
• Dust
• Car exhaust
• Stress
• Fatigue
• Recent upper
respiratory infection

Question 9

exercise prescription for respiratory diseases

Answer 9

• Aerobic:
• RPE 11-13
• Walk, cycle, swim – large muscle group activities
• 1-2 sessions/week, 30 minutes (or shorter initially)
• Progression of duration more important than intensity
• Strength:
• Low resistance, high reps, 2-3 days/week, free wts, machines
• Flexibility: 3 days a week
• Balance and breathing exercises

Question 10

pulmonary rehab program

Answer 10

• Three sites: Deer Lodge, Misericordia, Seven Oaks
Wellness
• Offered to clients with COPD, emphysema, chronic
bronchitis and pulmonary fibrosis
• Twice a week for 8 weeks - multidisciplinary
• breathing exercises
• physical exercise
• relaxation
• medication use
• education to understand the diseases
• smoking cessation