Using Exercise to Improve a Chronic Illness

Welcome Jenna Walters who graciously offered this guest post to my my blog.

The benefits of exercise are undisputed for healthy individuals, and cancer patients and others with chronic illness also enjoy improved life-quality with an appropriate exercise regimen. The National Cancer Institute encourages exercise for cancer patients and survivors as not just an option, but a priority.

Exercise and Cancer Treatment
A panel convened by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) set out to develop guidelines for exercise and physical activity for cancer patients, such as sufferers of Mesothelioma, that are undergoing active treatment or have concluded treatments. The panel found abundant evidence that physical activity promotes an improvement in life-quality for patients with chronic illness. Patients on chemotherapy or radiation therapy are capable of more exercise than previously thought and even light exercise is proven to be more beneficial than none.

Beginning Small and Setting Goals
Range-of-motion exercises under the guidance of health-care professionals prepare the patient for independence following treatment or surgery, beginning with passive exercises – those where the patient's limbs are moved by another person – if necessary. Setting daily, weekly and monthly goals and tracking improvement keeps the future in positive focus. Many cancer survivors of all types, from lung cancer to testicular mesothelioma, return to previous levels of physical activity, and even exceed them, when a sensible program is instituted during recovery.

Basic Guidelines for Patients
The American Cancer Society encourages patients to exercise as much as possible. Walking, weight training and stretching all contribute to muscle tone, blood flow and deep breathing. Any form of exercise can be adapted to the patient's current strength levels.
The patient should stop exercising immediately and consult her health-care provider if she experiences increasing weakness, loss of balance or falling, sudden or unusual pain, dizziness or vision problems, or numbness in the limbs.

The Caregiver's Role
According to the American Cancer Society, caregivers can play a pivotal role in the patient's exercise program. Caregivers may accompany patients on walks and outings and be upbeat and encouraging, remembering that it is beneficial for the patient to be as self sufficient as possible.

Anything that involves movement is technically exercise and a cancer patient must recognize that what constitutes exercise should not be based on previous activity levels. Perceived exertion during health likely required far more intensive activity than during the period of chronic illness. Walking where one previously ran is not a defeat. Modestly adjusting to new circumstances leads to enjoying a cheerful self-image and a positive outlook for the future.