Exercise Methods for Mesothelioma Patients

Mesothelioma is cancer that mostly begins in the tissue layers that cover each lung or also known as pleura. Less often, it starts with the layer of tissue in the abdomen surrounding the organs of the digestive system (peritoneum).

We know most mesothelioma cases are caused by asbestos. You have a much higher risk if you have been exposed to large quantities over a more extended period of time. Peritoneal mesothelioma is also caused by a period of asbestos exposure.

Symptoms of mesothelioma

Commonly, mesothelioma patients experience chest pain, breathing difficulties, and decreased energy levels. All those symptoms impact the exercise ability. So, how can people with mesothelioma do exercise if they don't have enough power to do so?

Mesothelioma patients should be active. Mild activities accumulate when you do it regularly. The body reacts to repetition and promotes resistance to cope with more activity. After a while, you will feel able to do sports, and you will notice your mind, body and quality of life improved due to regular activity.

Doing physical exercise when you are receiving cancer treatments can enhance sleep quality, reduce depression and anxiety, and result in healthier physical condition and self-esteem.

In the beginning, doing the exercise may be very difficult. However, it is crucial for the patients to keep on moving and never give up.

Here are 5 suitable exercises for mesothelioma patients.

Aerobics

This exercise helps the person feel better as well as keep the patient's body strong prior to, throughout, and after treatment. Following physical activity like running can help improve the heart rate. It is recommended that a person should do aerobic-style exercises and strength exercises. This will help the patient to increase his metabolism and muscles.

Stretching

After surgery, sometimes, the patient could feel weak or even stiff in some areas of the body. Stretching helps to prevent the patients from experiencing the stiffness. Another benefit is improving and maintaining flexibility. These kinds of exercises can involve stretches which provide benefits to the patients to strengthen the legs, arms, and torso. Patients are encouraged to do this kind of exercise at about 3 to 4 times a week according to experts.

Pilates

Patients with mesothelioma have breathing problems, particularly if a tumour is big enough to cause disturbance to lungs. Pilates-based training is ideal as it opens the chest area when the patients are undergoing treatment or recovery. Stretching, controlled breathing and strengthening movements cause breathing much easier with every exercise.

At first, patients perhaps find the movements somewhat hard to do. Calm movements without heavy pressure create perfect conditions for lung cancer patients. Doctors can test the capacity of a patient's lungs after doing several sessions with a Pilates, workout trainer. The improvements are mostly always obvious, which only promotes a healthy lifestyle.

Walking

It is the original method of exercise and can be adapted to your energy level. If you are tired, begin with 10 minutes a day and improve from there. Although walking on a treadmill is okay, some of the advantages of walking in outdoors, enjoying the scenery and connecting with others as you go. How about walking with a friend? It can be a good idea.

Swimming

It is an excellent way to strengthen all the major muscle groups and strengthen the heart. If you are not too fancy on doing swimming, you can go swimming during the summer. Many swimming pools and gyms offer classes for patients, including pool therapy and adaptable aquatics for motion and impact exercises.

Read more about the right exercises for mesothelioma patients at Pilatespal, Mesothelioma and Mesotheliomaguide.