Overview of Pulmonary Rehabilitation

호흡재활이란 교육 및 다양한 기법과 기구를 이용한 포괄적 이고 집중적인 치료를 통해 호흡질환의 증상을 완화시키고 조 절하며, 호흡장애로 인한 합병증을 예방하는 데 도움을 주는 것이다. 재활치료를 통해 환자의 운동능력을 증가시키고 심리 적인 안정감을 높여 줌으로써 환자가 일상생활에서 최적의 기 능 수행능력을 발휘하도록 하는 것이다. 호흡재활에서 호흡질 Abstract Pulmonary rehabilitation is consisted of breathing retraining, respiratory muscle rest, airway secretion elimination, reconditioning exercise, psychosocial support, nutritional support, adequate ventilator support, and patient education. And there are many techniques and devices to relieve and control the symptoms of respiratory diseases and to prevent from respiratory complications. Among them, the point of pulmonary rehabilitation is the non-invasive respiratory care by using respiratory muscle aids. All patients with impairment of pulmonary function can be differentiated into those who have primarily oxygenation impairment from predominantly intrinsic lung or obstructive diseases, and those with mechanical or restrictive lung disease on the basis of respiratory muscle dysfunction and ventilation impairment. The patients with primarily ventilatory impairment can benefit considerably from the use of both inspiratory and expiratory muscle aids. If we understand the pathophysiology of each pulmonary problem and evaluate the patient carefully and timely, we can minimize the respiratory complications through proper ventilatory and coughing support. Reduced respiratory complications can actually decrease the mortality rate. In conclusion, use of non-invasive respiratory aids, taking into account the characterization of respiratory pathophysiology, have made it possible to enhance quality of life as well as prolong the life span.