The Lahey Clinic Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program is designed for persons with chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (emphysema, chronic bronchitis), asthma, bronchiectasis (a persistent and progressive dilation of the bronchi), pulmonary fibrosis and interstitial lung disease.

The purpose of the program is to help patients overcome the fear of being short of breath and restore the highest possible functional capacity. Specifically, the goals of the program are to:

• Decrease and gain control of respiratory symptoms and complications
• Improve physical conditioning and exercise tolerance
• Improve general health and emotional well-being
• Encourage self-management of symptoms and control of activities of daily living
• Reduce hospitalizations and improve quality of life

The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program at Lahey Clinic includes medical management, exercise training to improve endurance and strength, breathing retraining, education, emotional support and nutritional counseling. Physicians, physical therapists, nurses, psychosocial staff and nutritionists work together to help patients reach their goals. The medical team will help build an individualized program tailored to each patient's particular needs.