
Does COPD Improve By Improving Exercise Capacity?

Question: I am 78 years old, I have COPD and my Dr. Rx. oxogen at night because my readingy is in the 50's. Can I improve by walking and exercising ?
Brief Answer:
possibly
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
Some patients can get improvement in their COPD symptoms by improving their exercise capacity. However, exercise can also decrease your oxygen saturation so you need to do this under a doctor's supervision. The best way to do this is through a Pulmonary Rehabilitation program. It is important to always wear oxygen when it is prescribed.
While Pulmonary Rehabilitation is strongly recommended for anyone with COPD it is not certain that it can improve your condition enough to get you off the oxygen.
Please let me know if you have further questions.
Dr. Robinson
possibly
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
Some patients can get improvement in their COPD symptoms by improving their exercise capacity. However, exercise can also decrease your oxygen saturation so you need to do this under a doctor's supervision. The best way to do this is through a Pulmonary Rehabilitation program. It is important to always wear oxygen when it is prescribed.
While Pulmonary Rehabilitation is strongly recommended for anyone with COPD it is not certain that it can improve your condition enough to get you off the oxygen.
Please let me know if you have further questions.
Dr. Robinson
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

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