Fitness Helps With Cancer Treatments
No matter what type of cancer with which a person is diagnosed, whether it is a common cancer like breast cancer or a rare disease like mesothelioma, some course of treatment will be prescribed to treat the disease. Unfortunately, many of these treatments are very harsh on an individual's body, many times causing almost unbearable symptoms. Following a regular schedule of physical activity could help alleviate some of these symptoms and increase the patient's quality of life.
Fatigue is often a major symptom of most cancer treatments, especially chemotherapy and radiation. While it is a good idea for individuals not to overdo physical activity, inactivity has proven to be just as detrimental to their energy levels. Performing a low to moderate impact aerobic workout for a weekly total of 150 minutes has been shown to increase the energy level in patients going through any cancer.
Due to the decreased appetite caused by many cancer treatments, weight loss is another symptom, which should be addressed in cancer patients. Many times the rapid loss of weight results in muscle wasting, leading to further weakness and fatigue. To combat this muscle loss, strength training should become an integral part in any exercise routine for cancer patients. These exercises help to maintain and build muscle mass, helping to prevent wasting.
While some treatments cause patients to lose weight, the treatments for hormonal cancers such as breast have a tendency to cause people to gain weight. In these cases, regular exercise helps to keep excess weight off, in addition to building lean muscle and combating fatigue.
A diagnosis of cancer often brings about depression and anxiety. Studies have shown that exercise releases hormones in the body, which naturally elevates the mood. During treatments, keeping as active as possible can help with the feelings of despair that usually accompany such a devastating time in an individual's life.
Dealing with cancer and its subsequent treatments is a difficult time for anyone who is diagnosed. It is also difficult living with the side effects of the treatments meant to cure a person. By keeping active and adhering to a regular schedule of exercise, many of the symptoms can be lessened, leading to a more tolerable treatment course.
Fatigue is often a major symptom of most cancer treatments, especially chemotherapy and radiation. While it is a good idea for individuals not to overdo physical activity, inactivity has proven to be just as detrimental to their energy levels. Performing a low to moderate impact aerobic workout for a weekly total of 150 minutes has been shown to increase the energy level in patients going through any cancer.
Due to the decreased appetite caused by many cancer treatments, weight loss is another symptom, which should be addressed in cancer patients. Many times the rapid loss of weight results in muscle wasting, leading to further weakness and fatigue. To combat this muscle loss, strength training should become an integral part in any exercise routine for cancer patients. These exercises help to maintain and build muscle mass, helping to prevent wasting.
While some treatments cause patients to lose weight, the treatments for hormonal cancers such as breast have a tendency to cause people to gain weight. In these cases, regular exercise helps to keep excess weight off, in addition to building lean muscle and combating fatigue.
A diagnosis of cancer often brings about depression and anxiety. Studies have shown that exercise releases hormones in the body, which naturally elevates the mood. During treatments, keeping as active as possible can help with the feelings of despair that usually accompany such a devastating time in an individual's life.
Dealing with cancer and its subsequent treatments is a difficult time for anyone who is diagnosed. It is also difficult living with the side effects of the treatments meant to cure a person. By keeping active and adhering to a regular schedule of exercise, many of the symptoms can be lessened, leading to a more tolerable treatment course.
By: David Haas
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