Unlike some diseases, COPD typically has a clear cause and path for prevention, and there are proven ways to slow its progression.
Here are some common complications and side effects that may arise if you don’t participate in pulmonary rehabilitation, and your COPD gets worse:
Activity limitations like having difficulty walking or climbing stairs.
Being unable to work.
Needing special equipment like portable oxygen tanks.
Not being able to engage in social activities like eating out, going to places of worship, going to group events, or getting together with friends or neighbors.
Increased confusion or memory loss.
More emergency room visits or overnight hospital stays.
Other chronic diseases like arthritis, congestive heart failure, diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, or asthma.
Depression or other mental or emotional conditions.
Generally poor health.
In contrast, an analysis of various rehab programs found that symptoms tended to improve after participating in pulmonary rehab. Almost all of the participants reported feeling:
Less short of breath
More energetic
More in control of their COPD
Less likely to go to the hospital because of COPD exacerbations.
If you keep up your exercise levels, you’ll likely see the benefits from pulmonary rehab last for years to come!
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