On Healthy Living

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients find it difficult to exercise because one of the major symptoms of the illlness is post-exertional malaise. Post-exertional malaise is defined as a period of deep fatigue and exhaustion that lasts for more than 24 hours following physical exertion.

For example, if you see with someone with CFS out dancing, doing aerobic exercise or jogging today you would probably think there is nothing wrong with them and they must be faking it. But what you don’t see is the consequences of those actions the following day. That is usually when the extreme fatigue sets in -either much later the same day or the next day. Then the CFS person is too fatigued and exhausted to do anything at all.

Even though CFS patients have this issue, exercise is still important for everyone. CFS patients often find their bodies to be very deconditioned and that in itself makes their health problems even worse. Exercise is possible - it just has to be modified to fit the individual.

Aerobics, jogging and other very fast-paced, heart racing physical activities are too demanding physically for someone with CFS. A CFS patient needs to start an exercise program, with the help of a CFS specialist, that starts out slowly and builds up gradually over time.

The severity of CFS is different among each individual. That is why it is important that each CFS patient have an individualized program that suits their physical capabilities.

Strength and conditioning exercises are an important component of the overall activity program. Standard rehabilitative methods, such as resistance training and flexibility exercises, may help improve stamina and function, increase strength and flexibility, reduce pain and increase range of motion.

ff wrote this on May 5th, 2008 and filed it under Healthy Living, Diet & Exercise |