Respiratory Therapy is a specialized form of therapy that is used for persons with certain respiratory (pulmonary) conditions. Specially trained healthcare providers provide this form of treatment to improve each person’s health status and overall quality of life.
In the United States alone, millions of people are affected by numerous types of respiratory conditions. Their severities differ and can affect just about anyone, which is why respiratory therapy is ideal for most persons.
In this post, we will take a look at who respiratory therapy is suitable for and the types. As well as, its benefits, and our approach at Sioux Center Health.
What are the Types of Respiratory Therapies?
Long-term care
Primarily, long-term care is recommended for the elderly, as a high percentage of people within this age group live with mostly chronic respiratory conditions. However, there may also be a few cases of acute illnesses.
To engage in respiratory therapy, the patient can be taken to the clinic. Or, a specialist can travel to nursing facilities and other long-term care institutions.
Neonatal-pediatrics
Neonatal-pediatrics refers to this type of therapy that is given to newborns, toddlers, and older kids. This form of therapy is quite commonly performed for premature babies to monitor their respiratory progress. And, for early detection and treatment of breathing problems. In addition, the respiratory therapist will use this opportunity to educate the older children and their parents or caregivers on how to manage the specific condition properly.
Pulmonary rehabilitation
Pulmonary rehabilitation uses various exercises and education to improve respiratory function by aiding with managing symptoms of chronic respiratory diseases. Symptoms such as pulmonary fibrosis, bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma. This type of rehabilitation should improve your quality of life.
Polysomnography
Sleep and respiratory disorders are closely related. And polysomnography, a similar form of therapy, is indicated for treating and managing sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea.
Polysomnography is used to study patients’ sleep and help diagnose sleep disorders that cause breathing issues.
Critical care
Critical care respiratory therapy is provided in a hospital setting. It is typically used in the emergency room or for patients recovering from heart surgery or lung failure.
Is it Right for Me?
Respiratory therapy is suitable for anyone, meaning gender and age should not prevent you from being a suitable candidate for this treatment modality. Therefore, even newborn babies and adults in hospice care can benefit from respiratory therapy. Further, anyone affected by the following conditions is typically referred for respiratory therapy:
- COVID-19
- pneumonia
- asthma
- pulmonary fibrosis
- emphysema
- Bronchitis
- Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
- COPD
- infants with under-developed lungs
- sleep apnea
- lung cancer
- recovery from a surgical procedure
- bronchiectasis
- infectious pulmonary conditions
Respiratory therapy provides patients with treatment, education, lifestyle modification assistance, equipment, and support for combating various pulmonary conditions.
What are the Benefits of Respiratory Therapy?
Here are the top 5 benefits you can get from respiratory therapy:
- shortened the recovery time
- improved immune function
- enhanced comfort
- regained ability to carry out simple activities of daily living
- personalized care.
Sioux Center Health’s Approach to Respiratory Therapy
At Sioux Center Health, you can trust our respiratory therapist to provide the expert care you need as we treat everyone, from newborns to adults. You can receive advanced respiratory care with the latest diagnosis and treatment options, including:
- Chest physiotherapy
- Medicare-approved home oxygen therapy equipment and testing
- Nebulizer and inhaler medications
- Oxygen therapy
- Pulmonary function testing
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- Sleep studies
- Emergency response (trauma)/resuscitation team
- Smoking cessation education
- Patient and staff education
Feel free to call and speak with us at (712) 722-8125 and speak with a respiratory specialist if you have any questions.
References
Long-Term Care: Mistakes To Avoid When Looking for a Facility. (2022, March 2). Princeton Healthcare Center; Princeton Health Care Center. https://www.phcconline.org/blog/5-benefits-of-respiratory-therapy-for-breathing-disorders#:~:text=Respiratory%20therapy%20can%20shorten%20the,back%20to%20their%20normal%20activities.
Respiratory Therapy | Sioux Center Health. (2021, April 6). Sioux Center Health. https://www.siouxcenterhealth.org/services/therapy-and-rehabilitation/respiratory-therapy/
- (2019, June 28). Breathing treatments: Everything you need to know. Medicalnewstoday.com; Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325603
What is Respiratory Therapy? – Be An RT. (2020, January 17). Be an RT. https://be-an-rt.org/what-is-respiratory-therapy/#:~:text=Respiratory%20Therapy%20is%20a%20specialized,people%20suffering%20from%20pulmonary%20disease.