Breathing & Lung Issues
Board-certified physicians help you with an accurate evaluation of your symptoms and offer a personalized treatment plan to improve your breathing and lung health. Some services require a referral; ask your doctor about respiratory and pulmonary options for you.
Diagnosis
- Arterial blood gas (ABG) sampling and analysis
- Bronchoscopy
- Low-dose CT lung-cancer screening and diagnosis
- Pulmonary function testing (PFT)
- Sleep medicine diagnostic studies, including interpretation and management of BiPAP and CPAP equipment
Treatment
- Breathing machine management and weaning for people unable to breathe on their own
- Nebulizers that deliver inhalable mist medications
- Pulmonary rehabilitation programs, including physical conditioning, so you live better with lung disease or combined heart/lung-related conditions
- Respiratory therapy
- Smoking and tobacco cessation counseling
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Avera pulmonary rehabilitation can help you improve your quality of life and develop a healthier, more active lifestyle. Our comprehensive program combines exercise, education, breathing retraining, nutritional counseling and emotional support.
Pulmonary Rehab Customized for You
You’ll partner with our experts to develop a program that helps you achieve your goals. We can help you:
- Begin and maintain a home exercise program
- Decrease shortness of breath and the anxiety it brings
- Develop self-reliance and independence
- Increase exercise tolerance
- Enhance your ability to perform daily activities
- Learn the breathing techniques and proper use of respiratory medications
- Reduce the possibility of hospitalizations
As you increase your endurance and strength, the fear of being short of breath will have less impact on your everyday decisions.
Talk to your provider about a pulmonary therapy referral. Then you can begin work with a respiratory therapist and registered nurse to complete an interview and testing. Your results will help create customized pulmonary rehabilitation programs for your needs and goals.
Is Pulmonary Rehabilitation Right for Me?
If you feel short of breath most of the time, can't breathe well enough to tolerate moderate exercise or frequently cough, you may be a good candidate for pulmonary rehab. If you answer “yes” to most of these questions, ask your provider about a referral:
- Has my disease affected my ability to work, engage in recreational activities or perform activities of daily living?
- Am I willing to participate in a program that includes exercise and education? Your exercise sessions will begin at a low level, which you can comfortably complete, and will gradually increase in intensity and duration as you are able to do more.
- Have I stopped smoking and am I protecting myself from secondhand smoke? You may not participate in the program if you are currently a smoker.
Respiratory Therapy
Trust Avera respiratory therapists to help you live better when a respiratory condition makes your breathing difficult. A wide range of therapies, treatments and care options are available for patients from newborns to older adults.
Advanced Respiratory Care
People of all ages, from newborn babies to older adults, can receive advanced respiratory care at Avera with the latest diagnosis and treatment options including:
- Chest physical therapy
- Medicare-approved home oxygen therapy equipment and testing
- Nebulizer and inhaler medications
- Oxygen therapy, including tracheostomy tubes
- Pulmonary function testing
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- Sleep studies
- Ventilator support
Related Health Services
Depending on your condition, your doctor may recommend additional attention from other specialists at Avera.
