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University of California San Francisco
Patient Education

Pulmonary Rehabilitation for ILD Patients

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a comprehensive program for lung disease patients whose symptoms are impacting their everyday activities. It's designed to reduce symptoms, increase function and improve quality of life through exercise and education. Pulmonary rehabilitation is covered by most insurance programs, including Medicare.

Originally developed for patients with airway diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema, people with interstitial lung disease have been shown to benefit greatly from pulmonary rehabilitation as well.

The programs are fairly standardized and usually consist of 12 to 18 sessions of two hours each. The sessions are typically held twice a week. Providers will try to work with your schedule. Each session consists of one hour of class on a topic related to lung disease, and one hour of supervised exercise on a treadmill or stationary bicycle, as well as weight training.

The classes cover topics such as lung disease, medications, nutrition, techniques to control shortness of breath, home exercise, psychosocial issues, relaxation techniques, energy conservation, smoking cessation, and types and use of the various oxygen systems.

Some of the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation include:

  • Reduced respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue
  • Increased ability to perform daily activities
  • Improved quality of life
  • Increased exercise performance
  • Increased knowledge of lung disease
  • Increased self-management of your lung disease
  • Relief of anxiety and depression caused by lung disease symptoms

To enroll in a pulmonary rehabilitation program, you will need a prescription from a doctor as well as medical records such as a recent pulmonary function test, an EKG, a brief medical history and a physical.

You can find a list of pulmonary rehab programs in California on the California Society for Pulmonary Rehabilitation website.

For information on UCSF's pulmonary rehab program, please call (415) 885-7755.

UCSF Health medical specialists have reviewed this information. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider.

Related clinics

Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) Program

Berkeley Outpatient Center

400 Parnassus Ave., Sixth Floor, Room A6114
San Francisco, CA 94143

(415) 353-2577
M-F, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Recommended reading

FAQ: Cyclophosphamide

Cyclophosphamide is part of a class of drugs called immunosuppressants that suppress the immune response and reduces inflammation in the lungs. Learn more.

FAQ: Methotrexate

Commonly asked questions regarding Methotrexate including, recommendation, precautions, possible side effects, suggested monitoring and more.

FAQ: Mycophenolate

Commonly asked questions regarding Mycophenolate including recommendation, precautions, possible side effects, suggested monitoring and more.

FAQ: Prednisone

Commonly asked questions regarding Prednisone including, the reason for recommendation, special precautions, possible side effects, monitoring, and more.

GERD in ILD Patients

Many studies have shown a link between GERD & lung disease, including interstitial lung disease (ILD). The reason for this relationship is unclear. Learn more.

ILD Nutrition Manual

Nutrition Manual for Interstitial Lung Disease including, General Guidelines for Eating Healthy, Body Mass Index, Increasing Protein in Your Diet and more.

ILD Resources

Patients living with interstitial lung disease (ILD) will find numerous resources listed here, offering information and support.

Pulmonary Hypertension and Interstitial Lung Disease

Pulmonary hypertension, or PH, occurs when blood pressure in the lungs becomes elevated, and can be caused by a thickening of the pulmonary artery walls.

Supplemental Oxygen

Find Supplemental Oxygen Resources including, The Need for Supplemental Oxygen, Your Oxygen Equipment, Oxygen Safety, Traveling With Oxygen, and more.

Conditions we treat

  • Connective tissue Disease-Associated ILD

  • Hypersensitivity pneumonitis

  • Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

  • Sarcoidosis

Did you know?

In 2015, UCSF took part in what's believed to be the largest kidney transplant chain of its kind. Over 36 hours, 18 people donated or received a kidney at UCSF or California Pacific Medical Center. The history-making chain was set in motion by one man, when he volunteered to donate a kidney to a stranger.

Learn more
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