COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
Exercise and immunity
Battling another cough or cold? Feeling tired all the time? Taking a daily walk or following a simple exercise routine a few times a week may help you feel better.
Exercise not only helps your immune system fight off simple bacterial and viral infections, it decreases your chances of developing heart disease, osteoporosis, and cancer.
We don't know exactly how exercise increases your immunity to certain illnesses, but there are several theories.
Physical activity may help by flushing bacteria out from the lungs (thus decreasing the chance of a cold, flu, or other airborne illness) and may flush out cancer-causing cells (carcinogens) by increasing output of wastes, such as urine and sweat.
Exercise sends antibodies and white blood cells (the body's defense cells) through the body at a quicker rate. As these antibodies or white blood cells circulate more rapidly, they could detect illnesses earlier than they might normally. The increased rate of circulating blood may also trigger the release of hormones that "warn" immune cells of intruding bacteria or viruses.
The temporary rise in body temperature may prevent bacterial growth, allowing the body to fight the infection more effectively. (This is similar to what happens when the body has a fever.)
Exercise slows down the release of stress-related hormones. Stress increases the chance of illness.
While exercise is beneficial, be careful not to "overdo" it. People who already exercise regularly are cautioned not to develop too vigorous a workout program in the hopes of increasing the immunity benefits. Heavy, long-term exercise (such as marathon running and intense gym training) could actually decrease the amount of white blood cells circulating through the body and increase the presence of stress-related hormones.
Studies have shown that the people who benefit most from starting (and sticking to) an exercise program are those who go from a sedentary ("couch potato") lifestyle to a moderately energetic lifestyle.
A moderate program can consist of:
Bicycling with the children a few times a week
Daily 20 - 30 minute walks
Going to the gym every other day
Playing golf regularly
Exercise can help us feel better about ourselves, just by making us feel more energetic and healthier. So go ahead, take that aerobics class or go for that walk -- and feel better and healthier for it.
American Accreditation HealthCare Commission
I thought this was important information and helpful, and that you might be interested in reading it too.
Love,
Holly
Battling another cough or cold? Feeling tired all the time? Taking a daily walk or following a simple exercise routine a few times a week may help you feel better.
Exercise not only helps your immune system fight off simple bacterial and viral infections, it decreases your chances of developing heart disease, osteoporosis, and cancer.
We don't know exactly how exercise increases your immunity to certain illnesses, but there are several theories.
Physical activity may help by flushing bacteria out from the lungs (thus decreasing the chance of a cold, flu, or other airborne illness) and may flush out cancer-causing cells (carcinogens) by increasing output of wastes, such as urine and sweat.
Exercise sends antibodies and white blood cells (the body's defense cells) through the body at a quicker rate. As these antibodies or white blood cells circulate more rapidly, they could detect illnesses earlier than they might normally. The increased rate of circulating blood may also trigger the release of hormones that "warn" immune cells of intruding bacteria or viruses.
The temporary rise in body temperature may prevent bacterial growth, allowing the body to fight the infection more effectively. (This is similar to what happens when the body has a fever.)
Exercise slows down the release of stress-related hormones. Stress increases the chance of illness.
While exercise is beneficial, be careful not to "overdo" it. People who already exercise regularly are cautioned not to develop too vigorous a workout program in the hopes of increasing the immunity benefits. Heavy, long-term exercise (such as marathon running and intense gym training) could actually decrease the amount of white blood cells circulating through the body and increase the presence of stress-related hormones.
Studies have shown that the people who benefit most from starting (and sticking to) an exercise program are those who go from a sedentary ("couch potato") lifestyle to a moderately energetic lifestyle.
A moderate program can consist of:
Bicycling with the children a few times a week
Daily 20 - 30 minute walks
Going to the gym every other day
Playing golf regularly
Exercise can help us feel better about ourselves, just by making us feel more energetic and healthier. So go ahead, take that aerobics class or go for that walk -- and feel better and healthier for it.
American Accreditation HealthCare Commission
I thought this was important information and helpful, and that you might be interested in reading it too.
Love,
Holly
I know how quickly we de-condition without exercise, I see it as an essential part of helping to slow down the progress of COPD.
Thanks for all you do Holly.
Peta x
Check and see if you can access pulmonary rehabilitation and be sure to speak with your doc if you are thinking about embarking on any exercise program.
To start preparing for a better level of fitness (if you have de-conditioned), walking up and down inside the home or outside weather permitting, start small and do often, eg 3-5 mins, 1-5+ times daily and work up from there. Practice purse lip breathing as you go if you need to.
Sure hope you can manage something Janet4life, as it sure will add to your life and in a reasonable amount of time you could be going for short walks and progress to those longer walks you so miss.
Good wishes whatever you embark on.
Maybe your doc can advise you of a solution for this difficulty.
Couple in the maintenance exercise class I go to are on oxygen, they have portables that can be worn similar to back packs.
I've also seen someone walking up and down pushing a supermarket trolley with their o2 tank resting in the trolley.
Of course of cold days when its too cold to go out, walking up and down inside is good exercise too. I actually use several of the videos on You Tube, there's a good selection of videos for people at different fitness levels who have COPD.
Hope your doc can come up with a solution for you.