Mesothelioma and Exercise Tips
Regular exercise, even for those with cancers such as mesothelioma, can improve health and lifestyle. For patients with cancer getting regular exercise can improve their quality of life during difficult treatments. In past years patients were advised to conserve their energy but medical science is revealing that may not always be the best advice after all.
In 2010 the American College of Sports Medicine released new guidelines indicating that exercise is beneficial during cancer treatments, as well as for cancer survivors. Exercise helps the body stay strong, and also reduces fatigue and weakness associated with treatment. An exercise program can also relieve patients from the emotional stresses of their disease, allowing them an outlet. Exercise can lead to a reduction in general in stress and anxiety.
FREE Mesothelioma Information
The American Cancer Society lists the following tips for planning an exercise program:
- Discuss any exercise with a doctor before beginning.
- Start slowly. Even if the patient can only do an activity for a few minutes a day it will help. How often and how long a simple activity like walking is completed can be increased slowly, one’s muscles will tell them when they need to slow down and rest.
- Try short periods of exercise with frequent rest breaks. For example, walk briskly for a few minutes, slow down, and walk briskly again, until 30 minutes of brisk activity have been completed. The activity can be divided into three 10-minute sessions, if need be.
- Try to include physical activity that uses large muscle groups such as the thighs, abdomen (belly), chest, and back. Strength, flexibility, and aerobic fitness are all important parts of an exercise program that works.
- Try to include some exercises that will help maintain lean muscle mass and bone strength, like exercising with resistance or light weights.
- One might want to include exercises that will increase flexibility and keep the range of motion in joints.
- Always start with warm-up exercises for about 2 to 3 minutes. Examples of warm-up exercises are shoulder shrugs, lifting arms overhead, toe tapping, marching, and knee lifts. End sessions with stretching or flexibility exercises. Hold a stretch for about 15 to 30 seconds and relax. Remember to breathe when stretching. Examples of stretching are reaching overhead, deep breathing, and bending over to touch the toes so that all muscle groups are relaxed.
- Exercise moderately, one should listen to their body and rest when needed.
It is noted that about 70% of cancer patients have fatigue during chemotherapy and radiation. Fatigue does not usually go away with rest and can lead to inactivity and muscle waste. An aerobic exercise program can help limit fatigue in cancer patients.
The ACS states the following tips can help reduce fatigue:
- Set up a daily routine that allows activity when the patient is feeling at their best.
- Exercise regularly at light-to-moderate intensity.
- Get fresh air.
- Unless told otherwise, eat a balanced diet that includes protein (meat, milk, eggs, and legumes such as peas or beans) and drink about 8 to 10 glasses of water a day.
- Control symptoms such as pain, nausea, or depression.
- To save energy, things the patient uses often should be kept within easy reach.
- Enjoy hobbies and other activities that give the patient pleasure.
- Use relaxation and visualization techniques to reduce stress.
- Balance activity with rest that does not interfere with nighttime sleep.
- Ask for help when needed.
Whatever form of exercise the patient decides on it should be low intensity and enjoyable. Some ideas for exercise routines include:
Short walks
Patients can also check with local gyms and health spas to see if they offer classes for patients and survivors. Working out in this kind of environment can help establish a routine, making the person more likely to stick with the activity. People can also benefit from the instructor’s expert advice and the support and camaraderie from other class members.
References:
