Patients with COPD

COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is one of the most severe and prevalent lung diseases today. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it ranks as the third leading cause of death worldwide.

COPD is an umbrella term for a group of chronic and irreversible lung diseases. The most common diseases within the COPD group are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Emphysema is primarily characterized by the destruction of the air sacs in the lungs and the loss of natural elasticity. Chronic bronchitis manifests mainly in the thickening of the airway walls, air trapping in the lungs, and increased mucus production.

In Israel, it is estimated that there are around 340,000 COPD patients, with approximately 75,000 having received a full medical diagnosis. The average age of patients is 45-50 years old.

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Asthma patients

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by inflammation of the airways (bronchial tubes). This inflammation leads to swelling and increased mucus production, resulting in airway constriction.

The frequency of inflammation varies from patient to patient: some experience periods with no symptoms at all, while others have recurrent and fluctuating exacerbations.

During exacerbations, respiratory and physical abilities decline. Consequently, the patient initiates a compensatory process that weakens respiratory muscles and body muscles. Weak respiratory muscles are unable to clear mucus effectively, potentially leading to respiratory distress.

In our rehabilitation program at Active Lungs, we assist asthma patients in preventing deterioration and decline, and in strengthening respiratory and body muscles.

Emphysema

Emphysema, also known professionally as “pulmonary emphysema,” is a sub-disease of the COPD family of lung diseases that directly affects the damage to the alveoli of the lungs. Alveoli are thin sacs surrounded by small blood vessels whose role is to exchange gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) into and out of the body through inhalation and exhalation.

Damage to the lung alveoli impairs the ability to absorb oxygen, trapping air within the lungs. Trapped air leads to feelings of shortness of breath.

IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis)

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis encompasses a variety of lung diseases grouped together due to shared pathological and physiological characteristics.

The disease is divided into two main types:

Due to the lungs’ difficulty in performing their function, one of the early symptoms is shortness of breath with mild exertion. As the disease progresses, respiratory difficulty will occur both at rest and in daily functioning.

Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease characterized by the formation of granulomas. Granulomas are small tissue nodules composed of inflammatory cells. The cause of its occurrence is unknown.

The disease primarily affects the lungs but can also involve other organs such as the heart, eyes, joints, and bones. Pulmonary involvement can be detected through chest CT scans and pulmonary function tests.

Respiratory symptoms include exertional dyspnea, which progresses to occur even at rest, and dry cough due to respiratory irritation caused by the disease.

Pulmonary GVHD

Respiratory impairment following bone marrow transplantation is a common occurrence. The primary characteristic of lung diseases targeted for pulmonary rehabilitation is respiratory or breathing impairment, leading to varying degrees of dyspnea during daily activities.