Exercise can help lupus patients
Lupus, a connective tissue disorder,
is a chronic illness. It is something that you can't control, is extremely
frustrating. It can make you feel like your life is over. Exercise can give
lupus patients the chance to work out some of those frustrations, and give you
the feeling that you have some control over your body instead of it controlling
you.
Exercise doesn't just improve your overall fitness, it can also help relieve many of the symptoms of lupus, by fighting fatigue, relieving stiff and painful joints and releasing chemicals that improve your mood. Consult with your physician regarding an exercise program that can be integrated into your daily life. It will usually involve aerobic conditioning at a moderate intensity and will be balanced with appropriate rest. Because getting moving replenishes your energy supplies, it directly combats fatigue. Even a daily short period of time can make you feel better. Moving your joints facilitates their natural lubrication. Exercise also strengthens the muscles around joints to take pressure off joints. Flexible, strong muscles help protect joints.
Since exercise is good for your heart and fights obesity, it lowers the levels of inflammatory proteins. Since lupus is an inflammatory disease, exercise eases inflammation. When you're in pain all the time, you feel miserable. Tied into the fatigue are stress, anxiety, depression and poor sleep. Exercise lifts your mood by triggering the release of endorphins, the feel-good chemicals of the brain, that stimulate feelings of greater comfort, pleasure and confidence. If you have lupus, just think about what better muscle tone, more joint stability, increased mobility and less fatigue could mean in your life.
The benefit of exercise
Exercise doesn't just improve your overall fitness, it can also help relieve many of the symptoms of lupus, by fighting fatigue, relieving stiff and painful joints and releasing chemicals that improve your mood. Consult with your physician regarding an exercise program that can be integrated into your daily life. It will usually involve aerobic conditioning at a moderate intensity and will be balanced with appropriate rest. Because getting moving replenishes your energy supplies, it directly combats fatigue. Even a daily short period of time can make you feel better. Moving your joints facilitates their natural lubrication. Exercise also strengthens the muscles around joints to take pressure off joints. Flexible, strong muscles help protect joints.
Exercise is good for your heart
Since exercise is good for your heart and fights obesity, it lowers the levels of inflammatory proteins. Since lupus is an inflammatory disease, exercise eases inflammation. When you're in pain all the time, you feel miserable. Tied into the fatigue are stress, anxiety, depression and poor sleep. Exercise lifts your mood by triggering the release of endorphins, the feel-good chemicals of the brain, that stimulate feelings of greater comfort, pleasure and confidence. If you have lupus, just think about what better muscle tone, more joint stability, increased mobility and less fatigue could mean in your life.
Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309
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