Sufferers of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome will understand the complexities of exercising when one is diagnosed with this condition. Exercise sometimes will worsen the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. However, exercise is needed in order to keep the body’s muscles from weakening
What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
Chronic Fatigue Sydrome is an illness often set off by a viral infection such as mononucleosis. Sufferers of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome will experience extreme exhaustion, muscle aches, joint pains, sore throats and other flu-like symptoms.
People with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome usually have difficulty exercising as even a small amount of activity can render them incapacitated for days. As of 2010, medical opinion is divided on whether Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers should attempt exercise at all.
While some doctors will caution against exercising with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, other medical professionals believe that a small amount of gentle exercise will help sufferers get on the road to recovery.
Does Exercise Make It Worse?
Most would agree that exercise is an important factor when it comes to the overall health of a person. However, sufferers of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome may find that too much or too little exercise will affect their condition negatively. Thus, it is important that patients diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome find a balance that works for their bodies.
How to Exercise
Recent studies have found that a gradual exercise program in many cases can help improve the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
When planning an exercise routine, CFS patients should take a gentle approach and gradually build up to increasing time and intensity when exercising. CFS patients should also act with caution when choosing what type of exercise to attempt.
With the realities of this condition, it is advisable that CFS sufferers take on a gentle exercise program. This could be something like yoga, tai chi or pilates. Also, light weight training and walking are great options.
Patients that are bedridden may want to try light streching while they are in bed. This will help keep their muscles active and reduce the risk of muscle atrophy.
It is important that the effects of exercise are monitored by CFS sufferers. For example, if a walk has caused someone to relapse he might consider switching what type of exercise in which he is engaging or reducing the length of the walk. One way of doing this is to keep an exercise diary. This can be used to record how much exercise is being attempted on a daily basis and the physical effects it has on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Know Your Limits
The effects of exercise on the body of someone with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome will differ on a daily basis. This is why so much emphasis is placed on pacing CFS-related exercise programs. If someone is feeling too tired, she should listen to her body and take a break. Once you feel comfortable exercising for a certain amount of time without having a relapse, you can then slowly increase your daily exercise.
Sources:
https://livingwithcfs.wordpress.com/2007/03/26/exercise-and-chronic-fatigue-syndrome/
