Respiratory Therapy: What It Is and How It Helps Lung Conditions

When your lungs don’t work right, respiratory therapy, a hands-on medical approach to improve breathing and lung function. Also known as pulmonary rehabilitation, it’s not just about oxygen tanks or inhalers—it’s a full plan to help you breathe easier, move better, and stay out of the hospital. This isn’t just for older adults with COPD. People with asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, even those recovering from pneumonia or long COVID, benefit from structured respiratory therapy.

It starts with understanding your lungs. spirometry, a simple breathing test that measures how much air you can push out and how fast. Also known as lung function testing, it tells doctors if your airways are narrowed or if your lungs are stiff. Then there’s DLCO, a test that checks how well oxygen moves from your lungs into your blood. Also known as diffusing capacity, it’s critical for spotting early damage from emphysema or scarring. These aren’t just lab numbers—they guide everything from inhaler choices to whether you need home oxygen or a rehab program.

Respiratory therapy includes breathing exercises, pacing techniques, and sometimes devices like nebulizers or CPAP machines. It’s not magic, but it works—people who stick with it walk farther, cough less, and feel more in control. The best part? You don’t need to be sick to start. If you’re noticing shortness of breath during daily tasks, or if your doctor mentioned your lungs aren’t performing like they should, this is where you begin.

Below, you’ll find real guides on how to read your lung test results, what to ask your doctor about breathing treatments, and how to avoid common mistakes that make symptoms worse. Whether you’re managing asthma, recovering from illness, or just trying to understand why you’re out of breath, these posts give you the facts—not the fluff.