Respiratory disorders

1) Obstructive :-  Asthma, Emphysema (where there is increased resistance to air flow through the tracheobronchial tree.)

2)  Restrictive disorders :- Due to muscle weakness or insufficiency or increasing stiffness of elastic components.

--- by  therapeutic exercises  the condition may be improved.

Specially in ICU – Pneumonia   may   develop  ( in dependent part of the lung – atelectasis , retention of secretions and growth of bacteria.)

a)  Performance of postural drainage (Percussion  or clapping  and vibration)

b)  Splinting the chest or incision site to facilitate coughing.

c)  Breathing exercises  ( which is gradual and graded )

Other maneuvers :- Mist Inhalation  to moisten the upper airways and help liquefy secretions.

Loss of compliance of the lung (fibrosis) is difficult to treat by physical means, but further development of respiratory muscles can be tried.