How Exercise Can Improve Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a very scary disease to be diagnosed with, and some people who have it don’t lead long lives. However, as medicine and technology have progressed, individuals are living longer, more happily and more healthily. Exercise is one of the best ways to improve your symptoms, but please note that you must speak with your doctor before starting to exercise, in order to determine if this is the right regime for you.
Better Breathing
If you are have cystic fibrosis, you’re probably well aware as to how the condition interrupts your breathing. According to About’s article “Exercise and Cystic Fibrosis: An Important Part of Treatment” by Lori Alma, exercising can actually help to increase the capacity of your lungs. Additionally, working out will help to clear your airways more. Both of these effects give you a better chance at breathing more fully.
Your Strength
Alma also discusses a few ways that you can build up your strength with exercise. Not only does it help you to gain endurance, but it can also protect against bone density loss. As you work to combat this disease, you’re going to need all of the strength you can get, so allow exercise to be a building block in that mission.
Your Overall Being
If you’re well in the mind, many would say that you’re also well in the body. Exercise is known to release endorphins into your brain, and these help create an overall better mindset for your psyche. In a Get Involved! article titled “How Exercise Can Improve Cystic Fibrosis Symptoms” Pam Johnson notes that exercise can help to give you more energy and to have greater fight within you. At a physical level, this is excellent. At a mental level, it’s wonderful – everyone can use a boost to deal with the day-to-day.
Slowing Down The Progression
As you probably know, your lungs are likely to get weaker as you advance through the stages of CF. However, if you exercise regularly, you might be able to fight that to a degree. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation created an article entitled “Day-to-Day Exercise and Cystic Fibrosis” The article states that “Children, teens and adults with CF who exercise do better than those who don’t. Their rate of lung function declines slow.” This information can be crucial in your personal battle with this condition
Your Life Expectancy
What exactly is the cystic fibrosis life expectancy? Well, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation notes that “In 2009, the median predicted age of survival was in the mid-30s.” However, the same site also states that this number can really vary greatly for different people. In any case, all of the aforementioned articles point to exercise as a way to increase life expectancy.
If you’re dealing with cystic fibrosis, you probably want to explore as many options as you can. However, please remember that you must speak with your doctor before you start any exercise program to ensure your own safety – and make sure you’re doing it right.
Joseph Rodriguez writes all about all about health and education. His recent work is about the best online msn programs on the West Coast.
