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Chest Physiotherapy is basically physiotherapy to help in the improvement of lung function to help the person breathe better. This is when there is an excess of lung secretion, so physiotherapy is done to help in loosening the secretions.
CPT is to be done only by trained professionals or under specific and direct instructions as doing it wrong can cause complications. In this article, we will look at more about chest physiotherapy, how it is done, why it is done, complications, and a few other aspects of it.
CPT helps in loosening thick lung secretions, strengthening the breathing muscles, and also expanding the lungs. CPT is used to help conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis. This will also help in keeping the lungs clear in long periods of immobility or after surgery to help prevent pneumonia.
This is only one method that can be used in the treatment of respiratory diseases. This means that it is recommended that you get a second opinion on your choice for treatment before you go for CPT.
The chest physiotherapy procedure is something that is to be done only by professionals. Otherwise, there is a greater risk of complications occurring that can be very dangerous. In this section, we will look at the different chest physiotherapy techniques:
When it comes to managing respiratory diseases and other breathing problems, doctors may recommend other treatments. Treatments that are recommended will vary based on the disease, the severity of the condition, age, medical history and other such factors. These other treatments may include:
Chest Physiotherapy Treatment (CPT) is to be done by registered nurses and respiratory therapists as they are trained in this. The latter are healthcare professionals that are trained to assess, care for, and treat patients that have breathing disorders and the like. Depending on the stage of the condition, the nurse or therapist involved may also teach you, your family members or other caretakers the techniques so that they can be done at home.
These are the specialists that administer Chest Physiotherapy Treatment (CPT):
These are paediatricians or internists that have undergone specialised training in the treatment of conditions of the chest like complicated chest infections, emphysema, tuberculosis, asthma, pneumonia, etc.
They include family practitioners, nurse practitioners, PAs, geriatricians, paediatricians, and internists. These primary care providers give comprehensive healthcare services and treatment for a whole range of conditions and diseases.
They specialise in taking care of patients that have been hospitalised. They include doctors generally but can include a nurse practitioner or physician assistant.
Here are some aspects that need to be assessed together to establish the need for CPT:
These are some factors that can be used as outcome tools for the caregiver to determine how effective the treatment is
In this section, we will look at chest physiotherapy contraindications when it comes to conventional techniques.
Positions are contraindicated when it comes to:
When we talk about the Trendelenburg position, it is contraindicated for:
Apart from the listed complications, other things to consider are:
It is important to prepare yourself before you go in for CPT so it can help in the improvement of the outcome of the therapy and also comfort as it is being done.
It is recommended that you do not eat right before CPT happens. Some chest physiotherapy techniques would require drinking water before you take the treatment to help in loosening the lung secretion, and it helps in suction and removal. The respiratory therapist, nurse, or doctor would also give you other instructions that you would want to order before CPT.
You may have some questions or queries that you may want to ask regarding CPT or anything else about your condition. However, it is common for patients to forget these questions, and others may occur after the appointment with the doctor. So it is best to write them down so you are prepared and do not forget anything that you may want to ask your doctor. Some common questions about CPT may include:
Your doctor may recommend that you undergo chest physiotherapy for a purpose to help you cough up or loosen excessive or thick lung secretions. This can happen due to conditions like:
This is a condition where some lung tissue or all of them collapse.
This is where the large airways of the lungs have been widened and even damaged.
COPD is a condition that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
This is a disorder that is genetic and can cause a build-up of sticky and thick mucus in the lungs as well as other organs.
This is when there is a low level of activity because of being in a wheelchair or bedridden because of any condition. CPT can help in the prevention of pneumonia or any other breathing issues that can occur because of long-term mobility.
This can include lung abscess, acute bronchitis and pneumonia.
This includes Guillain-Barré syndrome, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, and cerebral palsy.
Certain surgeries like lung removal or any that make it hard to take in a deep breath can require CPT. Some types of CPT help in the prevention of breathing problems and pneumonia that can occur post-surgery.
CPT, like any procedure, has some risks that patients need to be aware of. This is regardless of the fact that CPT is usually safe for patients when the techniques used are used appropriately for the condition. However, when the head is lowered, CPT can result in complications like:
Another factor to think about is that certain people should not have CPT as they have a higher chance of developing complications. This includes those with:
You can reduce or minimise the chances of complications arising by informing your CPT provider about any symptoms immediately. This can include shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, headache, or pain. It is important to follow the given treatment plan, including the breathing treatments and taking medications regularly and as directed to avoid any complications during CPT.
Chest physiotherapy is difficult and can be a very exhausting process. However, you will be able to tolerate it better as your condition begins to improve. If you’re getting tired or exhausted, it is better to tell your provider so that the technique can be adjusted to suit you better. Over time chest physiotherapy will improve energy levels as the amount of oxygen in your blood will increase, and you will be able to breathe a lot easier.
CPT treatment sessions generally last anywhere between twenty to forty minutes. It is best to have this done before you eat a meal, or if it is after you eat, the time gap should be of at least one to two hours. This can reduce the chances of vomiting during CPT. Early bedtimes and mornings are also recommended with this.
The duration and the frequency of CPT largely depend on the condition and may need to be increased if the patient is getting sick or more congested. The doctor can recommend the positions and the frequency of CPT after assessing the condition.
Another key factor that should not be ignored while administering CPT is that both the person and the caregiver need to be comfortable while this is happening. Before you begin, it is best if the patient removes any tight clothing or zipper around the chest, neck, and waist, along with removing buttons and jewellery. It is best to wear clothing that is soft and light.
CPT should not be done on bare skin, and the caregiver, too, needs to remove any bulky jewellery like bracelets and watches and even rings. It is best to keep tissues or a bin nearby when the patient needs to cough out mucus.
When percussion is being done, it is best that the caregiver remains in a position that is upright to protect their back, and they should not be leaning forward. The patient, on the other hand, should be lying on a surface that is at a height comfortable for the caregiver.
Most people find it very helpful when they use newspapers under the pillow, sofa cushions, or pillow for supports. Other things that can help are bean bag chairs, foam wedges or cribs where the mattress tilts or the height can be adjusted. Infants can be positioned in the lap of the caregiver with our without pillows.
CPT is one of the treatments that is used to help with respiratory diseases and helps in the prevention of pneumonia, removal of excessive lung secretion and lung expansion. CPT is something that is to be performed by the related healthcare professionals and those they instruct and should never be tried alone. This is to avoid complications that can be very dangerous. The frequency and duration of these sessions are to be decided by the primary healthcare provider alone.
It is important to consult the doctor about any other treatments that may help before you opt for CPT. This is a therapy that helps people of all ages and can greatly help in easing certain conditions like cystic fibrosis, atelectasis, bronchiectasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung infections, etc.
Chest physiotherapy is a group of techniques that helps in the improvement of lung function, removal of excessive lung secretion and lung expansion. It is used in the treatment of respiratory disorders.
Primary healthcare providers, hospitalists and pulmonologists are the ones that administer CPT. But depending on the condition, they can instruct caregivers to do it a home.
Chest physiotherapy sessions last for 20-40 minutes generally, but the duration and frequency may increase if the person is getting more sick. This is something that is determined by the doctor that is involved.
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