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Exercise advise for autoimmune sufferers

Bob Greene is an exercise physiologist and certified personal trainer. He is also a renowned author and frequent guest on “Oprah.”

Exercise is hard enough when you're 100 percent healthy. But when you have an autoimmune disease (a condition in which the immune system goes awry and attacks the body), you not only have to face all the regular obstacles to exercise, such as a lack of motivation, you sometimes also have to battle your own body, too.
     Take a look at the various conditions below and which kinds of exercise can help you stay healthy and strong. (Be sure to check in with your doctor before trying any new exercise.)

 

Hashimoto's disease

What it is: A condition in which the immune system attacks the thyroid, a gland located at the base of your neck that helps the body use energy, stay warm and keeps the brain, heart and other organs working properly. It may show up as only a slight feeling of fatigue or sluggishness, but it can also cause muscle aches and stiffness, particularly in the hips and shoulders, as well as muscle weakness in the lower body.

Exercise Rx: Light exercise might be better than vigorous exercise for helping relieve, rather than exacerbating, muscle and joint pain. The primary goal of exercise with Hashimoto's is to burn calories to help offset the weight gain that so often accompanies the disease.

 

Graves’ disease

What it is: It's similar to Hashimoto's in that the immune system attacks the thyroid, but here the thyroid overproduces the hormone thyroxine, which can greatly increase your metabolism and cause a number of health problems. Symptoms can include muscle weakness, shakiness and a rapid heart rate.

Exercise Rx: As with Hashimoto's, light exercise is better than more vigorous exercise. Long-term exposure to high thyroid hormone levels can lead to osteoporosis, so you should do some weight-bearing exercise, such as walking or strength training, to help maintain bone density.

 

Lupus

What it is: A disease that typically affects skin, joints, heart, lungs, blood, kidneys and the brain. Lupus causes inflammation of joints and other tissues, and sufferers may experience pain and damage to various parts of the body.
    
Exercise Rx: Joint and muscle pain can be very pronounced with lupus, so many experts recommend rest to prevent or reduce symptoms.

 

Rheumatoid arthritis

What it is: A condition that causes chronic inflammation within the joints. People can go long periods of time without any symptoms, but the disease can eventually progress and affect the bones and ligaments, and even cause the joint to lose its shape and alignment. When it gets to this stage, movement becomes very difficult.

Exercise Rx: Like those with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis sufferers should do light exercise only when there are no symptoms present (see above for more details). Activities like walking or water-based workouts (again, make sure the water temperature is between 83 and 88 degrees) are good options. Also, adding strength training can be helpful because it strengthens joints and increases flexibility. Just be sure you're using proper form and that you use lighter weights and do higher repetitions.

 

Multiple sclerosis

What it is: A disease that causes the immune system to attack the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms range from numbness and weakness to paralysis.

Exercise Rx: It's vital that whatever activity you choose, you avoid overexertion because for many people with MS, heat exposure can temporarily make symptoms worse. Exercise in a cool environment (the pool is a great choice; ideal temperature is 80 to 84 degrees) and increase your time and intensity slowly.