The Role of a Respiratory Therapist
A respiratory therapist, also known as an airway therapist, breathing therapist, or asthma/COPD therapist, has undergone rigorous training to care for a patient’s lungs and other parts of the body that affect breathing. They can work with you for conditions such as asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), or any other cardiopulmonary issue. Their role includes teaching you how to use inhalers properly, walking you through breathing exercises, monitoring your progress over time, and ensuring you take your medications correctly. Respiratory therapy can be done at home or in the office, depending on your needs.
What Does a Respiratory Therapist Do in an Appointment?
Respiratory therapists can work with almost anyone to improve lung function. From premature infants to elderly patients with lung disease, respiratory therapists can help. They provide a wide range of services, including
-Assessing lung function and diagnosing conditions affecting breathing.
-Treating asthma and pneumonia.
-Treating chronic respiratory problems, like emphysema or bronchitis.
-Teaching you how to manage your condition independently.
A Respiratory Therapist can Improve Quality of Life.
Your quality of life can be significantly impacted by respiratory conditions. Moderate to severe respiratory distress can make it difficult to complete simple household tasks. Depression and anxiety can develop due to this disruption of daily activities. Respiratory therapists can help speed recovery time from acute respiratory conditions and improve lung function so you can get back to your day-to-day activities, overall improving your quality of life.
How can Nightingale Help?
We’re a team of dedicated professionals who have seen thousands of patients with chronic respiratory conditions. Here’s what we can do for you:
With a Nightingale Digital Health plan, you’ll have access to a dedicated Respiratory Therapist, a Certified Asthma/COPD Educator, and a Life Coach – on your schedule. They are available to answer all of the questions you have about your respiratory condition and build you a personalized plan.. Our certified respiratory therapists are available via chat or video call to help explain symptoms you don’t understand and help coach you through life issues – whether or not you think they affect your respiratory condition, it’s all related! Leave notes in the app for them between chats, and they’ll respond, or you can just leave it as a reminder to talk about next time!
Most Nightingale Digital Health plans come with a wearable smart device called ADAMM, that tracks your breathing, symptoms, and triggers. The data collected by ADAMM is securely stored in your app and can be used by our respiratory therapists to them understand your condition and track your progress.
