Why should you exercise? Exercise
and staying active are an important part of rehabilitation for
chronic lung disease. You may believe that people with chronic
lung disease are too short of breath to exercise. This is a
myth. The truth is that regular exercise can help you feel less
short of breath. Regular exercise improves your heart and
muscles. It can help you feel good about yourself.
Exercise increases:
-
Energy level
-
Muscle strength and endurance
-
Cardiopulmonary (heart-lung) endurance
-
Ability to fight infection
-
Relaxation
-
Restful sleep
-
Bone density
Exercise decreases:
How to start an exercise program - First,
make an appointment with your doctor to discuss exercise. You and
your doctor can develop an exercise program that is right for you.
Your doctor may suggest you attend a pulmonary rehabilitation
program. If he does not, you should ask him about joining one.
A pulmonary rehabilitation
program helps to restore your health and quality of life through
education, proper nutrition and exercise. The program should
include flexibility (stretching), muscle strength, muscle
endurance and endurance for sustained activity.
Flexibility or stretching help prepare you for
the exercise session by warming the muscles. Strengthening and
endurance exercises help improve and maintain your strength so can
perform daily tasks. Endurance exercises increase your ability to
sustain work, home and recreational activities.
Your doctor or pulmonary therapist will monitor your progress.
What kind of exercise can you do? Choose an exercise
you enjoy and that you can do easily in your environment. You may
want to join a health spa, gym or fitness center. They may have
classes at the senior center. You may live near a park where you
can walk along trails or enjoy bike riding. You may prefer to
exercise at home and have a home gym of sorts. In addition to
doing what you enjoy, look at what you need to be able to do. Set
realistic goals.
This information provided in part by the National Jewish Medical
and Research Center.
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