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.
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