Astma i kronična opstruktivna plućna bolest (KOPB) su kronične upalne bolesti dišnog sustava, kojima je zajednička bronhoopstrukcija, ali se u mnogo pojedinosti razlikuju, tako da suvremeni pristup tim bolestima uključuje više različitih endotipova i fenotipova bolesti. Edukacija ima važnu ulogu u skrbi o tim bolesnicima jer pruža bolesniku saznanja o njegovoj bolesti, koja mu pomažu da zna kako postupiti u pogoršanjima, kao i u mirnim fazama bolesti. Plan liječenja za bolesnike s astmom i KOPB-om se razlikuje po stupnjevima bolesti. Liječenje je medikamentozno i nemedikamentozno (respiratorna rehabilitacija, promjene u prehrani, liječenje kisikom). U terminalnoj fazi KOPB-a primjenjuje se trajno liječenje kisikom u kućnim uvjetima, što bolesnicima značajno olakšava tegobe. U respiratornoj rehabilitaciji, koja se provodi multidisciplinarno, najvažnije je prilagođenim tjelesnim vježbanjem olakšati simptome, poboljšati plućnu funkciju, zaustaviti pogoršanje plućne funkcije i progresiju bolesti. Vježbe disanja su osnovne u plućnoj rehabilitaciji bolesnika s astmom, a važno je da se provode redovito i pravilno. U KOPB-u uz vježbe disanja provodi se posturalna drenaža i poticanje iskašljavanja, kako bi se sekret iz donjih dijelova pluća mobilizirao prema gornjim dijelovima pluća. Svaki bolesnik koji boluje od astme ili KOPB-a zahtijeva potpunu skrb, od postavljanja dijagnoze do terminalne faze bolesti. Ona u početku obuhvaća edukaciju, a zatim praćenje bolesnika u provođenju plana liječenja, koje čini medikamentozno liječenje, ali i, ne manje važna, respiratorna rehabilitacija. Posljednjih godina respiratorna rehabilitacija je u velikom zamahu zbog povoljnih rezultata koji se postižu njezinim stručno vođenim metodama.Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are chronic inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system, both characterized by airway obstruction, but which differ in many aspects, so the modern approach to these diseases includes several different endotypes and phenotypes of the disease. Education plays an important role in the care of these patients because it provides the patient with knowledge about the disease, which helps him to act properly in exacerbations as well as in the silent stages of the disease. The treatment plan for patients with asthma and COPD varies by disease stage. Treatment includes drug and non-drug treatments (respiratory rehabilitation, dietary changes, oxygen therapy). In the terminal phase of COPD, permanent oxygen treatment is administered at home, which significantly facilitates patient’s difficulties. In respiratory rehabilitation, which is conducted multidisciplinary, the most important thing is to relieve symptoms, improve lung function, and prevent the deterioration of lung function and disease progression through adapted physical exercise. Breathing exercises are essential in the pulmonary rehabilitation of patients with asthma, and it is important that they are performed regularly and properly. In COPD, postural drainage and expectoration are performed in addition to breathing exercises, in order to mobilize secretions from the lower parts of the lungs towards the upper parts of the lungs. Every patient suffering from asthma or COPD requires complete care, from diagnosis to the terminal stage of the disease. It initially includes education, and then monitoring the patient in the implementation of the treatment plan, which consists of drug treatment, but also, not less important, respiratory rehabilitation. In recent years, respiratory rehabilitation has been in full swing due to the favorable results achieved by its expertly guided methods
