Multiple Sclerosis And Exercise

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS & EXERCISE A study published by researchers at the University of Utah in 1996 was the first to demonstrate the benefits of exercise for people with MS. Since then, several additional studies have confirmed the same. PATIENTS WHO PARTICIPATED INACTIVITY IN PEOPLE WITH IN AN AEROBIC EXERCISE MS CAN RESULT IN NUMEROUS PROGRAM HAD BETTER: RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WI TH: CARDIOVASCULAR FITNESS CORONARY HEART DISEASE IMPROVED STRENGTH WEAKNESS OF MUSCLES BETTER BLADDER AND BOWEL FUNCTION DECREASED BONE DENSITY LESS FATIGUE LESS DEPRESSION INCREASED RISK OF FRACTURE A MORE POSITIVE ATTITUDE SHALLOW, INEFFICIENT BREATHING INCREASED PARTICIPATION IN SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Talk to your doctor about the types of exercise best suited to you and those you should avoid, as well as intensity and duration of the workout. AVOID EXTREME TEMPERATURES Heat and high humidity, as well as very cold temperatures can cause people with MS to experience a temporary worsening of symptoms. AVOID EXTREME TEMPERATURES, INCLUDING HOT BATHS, SHOWERS, AND SAUNAS DON'T EXERCISE DURING THE HOT TIME OF THE DAY (10 A.M. TO 2 P.M.). TIPS THAT CAN HELP: IN HOT AND HUMID WEATHER, STAY COOL AND DRY BY USING COOLING EQUIPMENT AND DRINKING COOL BEVERAGES. IF YOU ARE WORKING OUT OUTSIDE EXERCISE IN THE MORNING OR EVENING. DRINK PLENTY OF COOL FLUIDS. DO NOT OVERDO IT If you overdo it, you can end up straining an already compromised muscular system, increasing pain, and causing your body and mind to become overstressed, overworked, and overtired. TIPS THAT CAN HELP: DO NOT "STRETCH TILL IT HURTS" AND DO NOT "FEEL THE BURN". IF ATANY TIME YOU FEEL SICK OR YOU BEGIN TO HURT, STOP. RESPECT THE "TWO-HOUR RULE": IF YOU DON'T FEEL AS GOOD TWO HOURS AFTER EXERCISING AS YOU DID BEFORE YOU STARTED, THEN YOU PROBABLY DID TOO MUCH. TIPS FOR SAFE EXERCISE THE TYPE OF EXERCISE THAT WORKS BEST FOR YOU DEPENDS ON YOUR SYMPTOMS, FITNESS LEVEL, AND OVERALL HEALTH. WATER AEROBICS SWIMMING TAI CHI YOGA ARE EXAMPLES OF EXERCISES THAT OFTEN WORK WELL FOR PEOPLE WITH MS. ALWAYS WARM UP BEFORE BEGINNING YOUR EXERCISE ROUTINE, AND COOL DOWN AT THE END. WORK OUT IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT: AVOID SLIPPERY FLOORS, POOR LIGHTING, THROW RUGS, AND OTHER POTENTIAL TRIPPING HAZARDS. IF YOU HAVE DIFFICULTY WITH BALANCE, EXERCISE WITHIN REACH OFA GRAB BAR OR RAIL. HOW TO AVOID OVERHEATING WHILE WORKING OUT SWIMMING AND WATER AEROBICS ARE GOOD EXERCISE OPTIONS TO KEEP YOU COOL WHILE EXERCISING. THE WATER TEMPERATURE SHOULD BE BETWEEN 80 AND 84 DEGREES. COOLING VESTS CAN BE WORN TO HELP YOU STAY COOL DURING EXERCISE AND CAN HELP YOU STAY COMFORTABLE WHEN YOU'RE OUTSIDE ON A WARM DAY. IF YOU NOTICEANY SYMPTOMS THAT YOU DIDN'T HAVE BEFORE YOU BEGAN EXERCISING, SLOW DOWN OR STOP EXERCISING UNTIL YOU COOL DOWN. Visit SteadyHealth.com for more SteadyHealth.com medical studies or discuss your health-related experiences.