Vasculitis

 

Vasculitis

How is therapy carried out in rehabilitation?

As part of inpatient rehabilitation, patients are treated with a variety of therapies that complement each other and are coordinated:

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·        Information and education

It is known that patients who have a good knowledge of their diseases are much better able to deal with the symptoms of the disease. The information is conveyed through training courses, books and information brochures. The exchange between the patients is also important. Since the diseases are very rare overall, it makes sense to concentrate patients from all over Germany at a few specialized centers.

·        Exercise therapy/sports therapy

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Exercise therapy (Nordic walking, water aerobics, functional training, ergometer therapy) is not just about improving the mobility of the joints. On the contrary, targeted applications can reduce inflammatory reactions.

·        Nutrition

As part of rheumatological rehabilitation, patients receive lectures on nutrition and cook together in the teaching kitchen. Diet can have a positive effect on rheumatic inflammation.

·        Occupation

The occupational situation is a central issue in rehabilitation. It is important to find career prospects again after a serious, possibly life-threatening episode of illness.

·        Motivation to participate in self-help groups

Participation in a self-help group can help to maintain the successes achieved in rehabilitation in the long term. Due to the rarity of the clinical pictures, it can be difficult to find specific self-help groups on site. One solution could be regional offers from the German Rheumatism League on the subject of vasculitis.

·        Preventing diseases of the coronary arteries and strokes

Due to the chronic inflammatory situation, there is a significantly increased risk profile for non-inflammatory diseases of the coronary arteries and strokes. General aerobic cardiovascular training through exercise therapy is indicated for all forms of vasculitis. Depending on the resilience, Nordic walking, walking, ergometer training and water aerobics are ideal. Influenceable cardiovascular risk factors should be reduced. This includes, among other things, targeted smoking cessation, weight reduction in the event of obesity and knowledge of a healthy diet (teaching kitchen, nutrition lectures, individual advice).

·        Improvement of the lung function

She is strengthening the auxiliary breathing muscles through breathing exercises—general aerobic conditioning.

·        Preventing osteoporosis with vertebral fractures

The risk of osteoporosis is significantly increased. All patients with vasculitis should be examined by a bone specialist (osteologist DVO) and the risk of bone fractures should be assessed by him (structured osteological assessment).

·        Stabilization of the psyche

Group treatments are about coping with psychological problems as a result of the serious underlying illness. One-on-one psychological interviews should be conducted by a therapist who has specific knowledge of the clinical picture at hand.

·        Protection of the kidney

Once the inflammation in the kidney has been completely suppressed, it is important to eliminate all other potentially kidney-damaging accompanying factors ( high blood pressure , medication, etc.).

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·        Coordination of the hands

Active thermal applications, eg movement exercises of the hands in warm rapeseed, improve the well-being and fine motor skills of the hands.

Center formation in rehabilitation

Vasculitis is rare, difficult to diagnose, and dangerous. Therefore, patients with vasculitis in acute medicine are treated in specialized centers. This development is also useful for rehabilitation.

A therapy team that has extensive experience in the treatment of these diseases is crucial for establishing a center for the rehabilitation of patients with vasculitis. Alarm signals must be interpreted correctly. Close cooperation between the rehabilitation clinic and an acute medical vasculitis center is essential in the event of acute deterioration. Training courses for the entire therapy team must take place regularly. Therapeutic applications on the level of the body (physiotherapy, occupational therapy and sports therapy) and on the level of the psyche (psychological training) can only be successful if the therapist has detailed knowledge of the disease and its functional disorders.