| ic Airways Disease is not a single disease but a | | | | The person must lie supine on a bed. He must |
| collective term for a group of similar afflictions. | | | | bend his upper body such that the top part of |
| This group of diseases is also known as chronic | | | | the body is over the bed. A physiotherapist can |
| obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This | | | | teach a patient this method so that drainage of |
| condition can affect a person’s life a | | | | the affected lung takes places without any |
| severe way, but physiotherapy is a good wat to | | | | problems. It does not take very long to learn this |
| combat these ill effects. | | | | method and soon a patient is able to do it without |
| Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are members | | | | assistance. |
| of this notorious group of diseases. Other | | | | The second part of the procedure, known as |
| conditions that affect a person’s breathing | | | | clapping is also known as chest percussion. The |
| pattern are also part of this group. Smoking is a | | | | patient’s back is clapped with a cupped to |
| contributing factor to the development of this | | | | induce secretions within the chest to loosen. This |
| condition in a person, but even non-smokers may | | | | however cannot be carried out without assistance |
| be affected because of the presence of irritants | | | | and the physiotherapist teaches it to a person |
| in the air. Age is also a factor, as these diseases | | | | taking care of the patient. |
| are most common among older people. | | | | Weakened legs can also arise from chronic |
| The evident symptoms of this disease include | | | | airways disease. Continues shortness of breath |
| wheezing and frequent coughs, besides the | | | | prompts patients suffering from the disease to |
| prevalent shortness of breath. There is a | | | | refrain from walking or other physical exercise |
| generous discharge of sputum, which often has | | | | that is necessary to keep the legs fit. |
| traces of blood. Lack of oxygen in the body | | | | Physiotherapy can address this issue by making |
| causes a bluish tinge to appear on the | | | | the patient walk the treadmill or cycle on a |
| person’s extremities, and the same lack | | | | stationary bike. This treatment though, is possible |
| may also lease cardiac issues. | | | | only if the patient is able to do the exercises at all. |
| Physiotherapy can help alleviate the complications | | | | As with legs, exercising the arms of a patient is |
| arising from chronic airways disease. The way a | | | | equally necessary. Everyday activities involve the |
| person breathes, if corrected, can reduce the | | | | use of arms more than any other part of the |
| issues arising from this disease. A physiotherapist | | | | body. Physical therapy can strengthen the |
| can train a person to breathe differently, enabling | | | | patient’s arms and also induce easier |
| him to inhale enough oxygen required by the body | | | | breathing. |
| but without being reduced to wheezing and | | | | A therapist well versed in the knowledge of the |
| coughing to meet the lung’s demands. | | | | disease must carry out physiotherapy treatment |
| This is nothing short of a boon for a chronic | | | | of patients suffering from chronic airways |
| airways disease patient. | | | | diseases. As newer treatments are discovered |
| A method known as clapping and postural | | | | and perfected, older methods must be left behind |
| drainage is also beneficial to a patient suffering | | | | in favor of the newer ones. The treatment itself |
| from chronic airways disease. Physiotherapists | | | | benefits the patient, and physiotherapy staff who |
| ensure postural drainage in this simple method by | | | | can carry out the treatments correctly can |
| ensuring that the damaged lung is positioned | | | | significantly improve the condition of a chronic |
| above the trachea by this simple method. | | | | airways disease patient. |
| It is possible to carry out this procedure at home. | | | | |