Lung patients Move instead of sparing

Lung patients: Move instead of sparing

09/17/2014

Lung patients, who are left with the air even with small efforts, often avoid great efforts. But especially people with diseases such as asthma or bronchitis should move. The German Lungentag on 20 September should help to show how important a healthy lung is.

Patients with COPD quickly suffer from respiratory distress
The staircase to the apartment is often too steep, every single step is agony, the air is gone: People who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), quickly suffer from respiratory distress. „As a result, they strain less and lose muscle strength and stamina“, explained Professor Heinrich Worth, Chief Physician of the Clinic for Heart and Lung Diseases at the Klinikum Fürth, according to a message from the dpa news agency. But that is exactly the problem. Because the more the affected ones spare, the more often they suffer from shortness of breath. In addition, osteoporosis, diabetes or vascular diseases are often the result, as the sports scientist Oliver Göhl explained.

Up to five million Germans with smoker's lung
COPD, also called smoker's lung, is one of the most common diseases worldwide. According to estimates by the German respiratory league, about three to five million citizens in this country are said to have contracted it. The main symptom of the widespread disease is the so-called smoker's cough, which is characterized among other things by increased secretion of airways and corresponding coughing in the morning with expectoration. Although smoking is the main cause of COPD, secondhand smoke, pollution or occupational exposure to chemicals such as chemicals are also considered risk factors.

Special lung sports can help
Those affected should not only give up smoking, but also move. In doing so, lung sports can help. What initially sounds like competitive sport is a special exercise therapy for patients with asthma, COPD or other lung diseases. „The type of sport is rather secondary“, explained the lung specialist Professor Dieter Köhler. „Basically, the pulse should rise, it should be possible to work up a sweat and train at least twice a week“, so the expert. The latter is a prerequisite for the sport to be effective.

Take a break before heavy load
To participate in a lung sports group advises the physician Worth. There, the structure and course of an exercise usually follows a certain pattern, including endurance and strength training as well as coordination and stretching exercises. Köhler recommends lung patients that they should learn to take a break before a heavy load. „So pause for a short time when hiking, for example, when the route gets steeper“, so the lung specialist. „Many make the mistake that they have to go on and then stop halfway because they have shortages of air.“

Pulmonary sports group with many advantages
Another advantage of a lung sports group is that the instructor can make sure that the participants do not take over and the tasks are exactly adapted to their performance. In these groups there is always a doctor on call. Patients must have a medical certificate. In addition, the instructors are specially trained in these groups and an emergency kit must be available. Köhler also explained what sport brings to health: „It has been proven that the shortage of air occurs later during regular training.“ He gave the following example: According to this, healthy people can walk 600 meters on average within six minutes. A moderately severe lung sufferer usually makes 300 meters, but if he trains regularly, he comes on average to 400 meters. „His condition is getting better“, said Worth.

During regular sports less often to the hospital
"COPD patients were less likely to go to hospital with regular physical activity": This was the finding of scientists in 2006 in a study of around 2,390 people. According to Worth, "evidence suggests that exercise therapy for asthma and COPD causes the inflammation in the respiratory system to decrease." But he restricts: „But that's not proven yet.“ It may also lead to a decrease in susceptibility to infection when a patient trains for a long time. „As part of the lung sport, the patient smokes more often and feeds healthier“, so Worth. In general, a monthly course fee is incurred, which is, however, partially or completely taken over by the health insurance companies. (Ad)