Guest Post: Exercise Promotes Health Even When Ill

Exercise Promotes Health Even When Ill

Dealing with a chronic or terminal illness can be incredibly difficult, but many of the problems that accompany these illnesses are magnified when the patient is not physically fit. Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of acquiring many chronic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and certain types of cancer. Even in the case of cancers like mesothelioma, patients can expect greater energy levels and an improved sense of well being by improving their level of fitness.

Exercise helps our bodies maintain normal levels of blood sugar, helping with diseases like diabetes. Just one good session of aerobic exercise can positively affect insulin sensitivity for up to 72 hours. The effects can last even longer when resistance training is part of the exercise regimen.

Exercise also reduces anxiety, depression, and stress. The body's adrenal glands secrete more cortisone when under stress. Cortisone, in turn, increases levels of blood sugar. Cortisone is the "fight or flight" hormone. High levels tend to increase damage to blood vessels. Exercise reduces the stress that promotes cortisone release.

An additional benefit of exercise is its effects on depression, a condition not uncommon to sufferers of chronic or terminal illnesses. Exercise increases the production and release of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and beta-endorphins. These brain chemicals boost mood, promote restful sleep, and even help reduce pain.

Depression can be a result of the stress of managing medications, checking blood sugar levels, or any other number of complications. Many suffers of chronic illnesses also worry about their condition growing worse, which can lead to a depressed mood. Exercise in these situations can help tremendously. The benefits include lower blood pressure, better sleep, better moods, lower body fat, and a boost in the body's immune system. Each of these improvements can in turn prevent other diseases from developing, improve current illnesses, or even increase life expectancy.

Exercise can help in boosting one's immune system function. Many treatments for various illnesses have the effect of weakening our immune systems. Weak immune systems leave the body more vulnerable to infections and malignancy. The body's immune system response can also lead to negative effects, such as weight loss, fever, fatigue, and muscle pain. Many flu symptoms, for example, are not caused by the virus itself, but our own body's immune system response.

Even mild forms of exercise like walking can strengthen the immune system, including the response of antibodies and natural killer cell (T cells) response.

One word of caution is in order, however, for those considering starting an exercise plan. If you are suffering from a severe illness, be sure to consult with your doctor to find a program suitable for your condition and fitness level.

Guest Author: Melanie Bowen - Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance