Benefits of Exercise for Patient with Multiple Sclerosis

Benefits of Exercise for Patient with Multiple Sclerosis

Posted by icare4MS

Getting active can help relieve a number of symptoms and complications that are commonly associated with Multiple Sclerosis. These include:

• Fatigue

 A recent study examined the fatigue levels of people living with multiple sclerosis,  one group signed on for a yoga class geared to the needs of people with MS, a second group took a stationary-bicycling class, and a third group had no specific program given to them. At the end of the 6-month study, both the yoga and stationary bike participants reported improvement in their fatigue levels, while the third group who had no specific exercise program saw no improvement in their MS fatigue symptoms.

• Bladder control

Dr. Petajan, who died in 2005, found that even moderate regular exercise helped to correct bladder control issues that are common in people with multiple sclerosis.

• Stronger bones

 People with multiple sclerosis are at particular risk for osteoporosis due to a combination of factors.

 For one, levels of vitamin D — the nutrient that works with calcium to protect bone health — are typically low among people living with MS. Certain medications (such as corticosteroids) that are effective in the treatment of MS flare-ups can also lead to lower calcium levels. These lower levels of vitamin D and calcium make it harder for your body to retain bone density or strength. 

At the same time, people with multiple sclerosis often face mobility issues that make them more prone to falling, which can lead to broken bones.

Weight-bearing exercises — including running, aerobics, dancing, and stair climbing — help you build and maintain bone density that will protect your bones, even if you stumble and fall.

• Weight management

The decrease in mobility caused by multiple sclerosis, combined with the side effects of common MS medications (such as steroid drugs used to treat flare-ups), can lead to weight gain, which can contribute to a further decrease in your ability to get around. Exercise can slow or stop this cycle.

• Heart health

Multiple sclerosis may increase the risk of heart problems due to its effect on involuntary bodily processes such as breathing, digestion, and heart rhythm.

Even mild or moderate activity can help minimize your risk of cardiovascular problems down the line.

• Low mood, anxiety or depression

If issues such as low mood, anxiety or depression arise, exercise may help. Regular aerobic exercise has been shown to be beneficial in relieving mild to moderate depression.