[Pulmonary rehabilitation in pulmonary emphysema]

Respiratory rehabilitation in patients with pulmonary emphysema should be focussed first on the prevention and elimination of harmful inhalative factors, e.g. smoking habits and environmental or occupational pollution. In addition, distinct therapeutical procedures are mostly effective in preventing a progressive course of the disease and interrupting the vicious circle of dyspnea, physical inactivity and overall disability as well. In patients with advanced disease, mostly complicated by features of chronic respiratory insufficiency and cor pulmonale, long-term administration of oxygen often relieves symptoms, increases physical performance and may even reduce hospital admissions for a longer period. As a consequence, most patients with severe disability also suffer from severe psychological and social problems which should be considered more attentively within the concept of the overall rehabilitation program.