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Does COPD Improve By Improving Exercise Capacity?

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Posted on Sat, 27 Aug 2016
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 ?
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Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (58 minutes later)
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
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Kathy Robinson

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1989

Answered : 3535 Questions

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Does COPD Improve By Improving Exercise Capacity?

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