In a conversation yesterday with a relative we discussed the importance of exercise when certain conditions are present like diabetes, high blood pressure, diverticulitis, cancer, etc.
I believe that the majority of people know that exercise is essential in order to maintain a healthy body. However, there is concern about what form of exercise is safe for certain conditions and how do you get started when you haven't exercised for years. My answer, start slowly. Also consult with your physician.
If you can walk, start by walking outside to the corner, then around the block. Don't do it all in one day. Increase weekly. If you can't walk, try bicycling in bed or on a stationary bike. If you can swim and you have access to a pool, start there. You can also begin with a resistance band while sitting on a chair or standing up and holding on to a chair. Also, many exercise dvds have modifications for beginners.
If you are motivated to start exercising, don't wait or think about it too long. Don't analyze it too long either. Get started so that you start experiencing the benefits of exercise. You will be in a better mood and your body will crave it and thank you for it.
There are some easy exercise dvds at http://www.myfitness24-7.com/
that will help you get started and also help you get motivated to do more.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
CANCER PATIENTS AND EXERCISE
Studies show that cancer patients can benefit from exercise. However, the cancer patient should use caution and consult with their physician before undertaking an exercise program. There are certain precautions and contraindications to exercise which include severe pain, infection, severe shortness of breath, acute bone and joint pain, platelets lower than 50,000 per microliter, dizziness causing difficulty in balancing and fever. If these contraindications do not exist, your doctor will be able to tell you if you can began a low to moderate intensity exercise program.
Patients undergoing cancer treatment will be able to maintain endurance, strength, and function by performing moderate-intensity aerobic exercise. Although there may be fatigue due to cancer treatment, exercising during this time may diminish the side effects associated with treatment. Exercise increases circulation, oxygen intake, tones the cardiovascular system, improves appetite, promotes better digestion, facilitates elimination, improves the metabolic rate, lowers cholesterol, lowers blood pressure and stimulates the lymphatic system.
Also, there are biological mechanisms resulting from exercise which have powerful anti-depressive and stress-controlling effects. This is profoundly important since a cancer diagnosis and cancer treatment can be very stressful and depressing.
The type of exercise for the cancer patient is not that different. Everyone can benefit from weight resistance, cardiovascular/aerobic and flexibility exercises.
Cancer patients may have to start with a low to moderate intensity and build up from there. A cancer patient may work around their symptoms and limitations during cancer therapy. This means that if there is fatigue and/or nausea due to cancer treatment, perhaps that day a short walk and/or some mild and relaxing yoga poses can be performed. The point is to try to work with and around any limitations so that you can continue receiving the benefits of exercise. Patients that are too weak to get out of bed, can move their arms and legs as if bicycling or doing range-of-motion exercises. Once a patient can get out of bed, the next step would be exercising while sitting in a chair followed by exercising while holding on to the chair.
It is never to late to start exercising and cancer patients have a better chance of maintaining their independence and strength. With exercise, the cancer patient will also be able to maintain a positive outlook and handle stress. By Cecelia Tiemann, D.C.
Save on exercise dvds at http://www.myfitness24-7.com/
Exercise at home and save.
Patients undergoing cancer treatment will be able to maintain endurance, strength, and function by performing moderate-intensity aerobic exercise. Although there may be fatigue due to cancer treatment, exercising during this time may diminish the side effects associated with treatment. Exercise increases circulation, oxygen intake, tones the cardiovascular system, improves appetite, promotes better digestion, facilitates elimination, improves the metabolic rate, lowers cholesterol, lowers blood pressure and stimulates the lymphatic system.
Also, there are biological mechanisms resulting from exercise which have powerful anti-depressive and stress-controlling effects. This is profoundly important since a cancer diagnosis and cancer treatment can be very stressful and depressing.
The type of exercise for the cancer patient is not that different. Everyone can benefit from weight resistance, cardiovascular/aerobic and flexibility exercises.
Cancer patients may have to start with a low to moderate intensity and build up from there. A cancer patient may work around their symptoms and limitations during cancer therapy. This means that if there is fatigue and/or nausea due to cancer treatment, perhaps that day a short walk and/or some mild and relaxing yoga poses can be performed. The point is to try to work with and around any limitations so that you can continue receiving the benefits of exercise. Patients that are too weak to get out of bed, can move their arms and legs as if bicycling or doing range-of-motion exercises. Once a patient can get out of bed, the next step would be exercising while sitting in a chair followed by exercising while holding on to the chair.
It is never to late to start exercising and cancer patients have a better chance of maintaining their independence and strength. With exercise, the cancer patient will also be able to maintain a positive outlook and handle stress. By Cecelia Tiemann, D.C.
Save on exercise dvds at http://www.myfitness24-7.com/
Exercise at home and save.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Fitness and Cancer
I've been keeping a journal of my father's condition. He was diagnosed with colon cancer two years ago. He had metastises to the liver and now the left chest wall. He has had two major surgeries as well as chemo and radiation. There has not been any lymph node involvement.
While his first reaction to treatment is to rest cause the condition and treatment causes fatigue, it seems that the more he moves, the better he feels and the more energy he has.
Life/energy in the human body is similar to the battery in a car. When the battery runs out of energy, the car cannot function or move. In the body, it takes energy for everything to function. The lower our energy, the slower we function. When we have a dead battery in our car, we have to get it charged then drive the car around to recharge the battery. Same thing with the body, we have to get up and move around to get more energy. It becomes even more important in my father's case to move around. This way the lymphatic system works better and the body can process the chemoradiation to hopefully also reduce side effects of treatment.
Besides the physical benefits of exercise during cancer treatments, there are also many phsychological and emotional benefits. Exercise stimulates the "feel good" endorphins which are mood elevators. There is also the feeling of "self-nurturing" and accomplishment.
Since cancer and the treatments can be debilitating, when a person can exercise, it helps to bring back the feeling of self-worth.
Exercise videos/dvds such involving stretching like the Brian Dorfman Lower Back Basics or Leslie Sansone's Yoga would be useful for a person with cancer and undergoing chemo and/or radiation. The videos also allow for relaxation and bring about the mind/body connection.
http://www.myfitness24-7.com/
Cecelia Tiemann, D.C.
While his first reaction to treatment is to rest cause the condition and treatment causes fatigue, it seems that the more he moves, the better he feels and the more energy he has.
Life/energy in the human body is similar to the battery in a car. When the battery runs out of energy, the car cannot function or move. In the body, it takes energy for everything to function. The lower our energy, the slower we function. When we have a dead battery in our car, we have to get it charged then drive the car around to recharge the battery. Same thing with the body, we have to get up and move around to get more energy. It becomes even more important in my father's case to move around. This way the lymphatic system works better and the body can process the chemoradiation to hopefully also reduce side effects of treatment.
Besides the physical benefits of exercise during cancer treatments, there are also many phsychological and emotional benefits. Exercise stimulates the "feel good" endorphins which are mood elevators. There is also the feeling of "self-nurturing" and accomplishment.
Since cancer and the treatments can be debilitating, when a person can exercise, it helps to bring back the feeling of self-worth.
Exercise videos/dvds such involving stretching like the Brian Dorfman Lower Back Basics or Leslie Sansone's Yoga would be useful for a person with cancer and undergoing chemo and/or radiation. The videos also allow for relaxation and bring about the mind/body connection.
http://www.myfitness24-7.com/
Cecelia Tiemann, D.C.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
FALLING SENIORS
"HELP, I'VE FALLEN AND I CAN'T GET UP!"
By Cecelia Tiemann, D.C.
Does this sound familiar? This is from an old commercial showing a senior citizen female in trouble in her own home. This woman apparently was living alone, fell and was trying to get help. I don't remember the rest of the story or what the consequences of the fall were. Typically, there may have been a fractured hip or cracked ribs. Falls are very dangerous for senior citizens.
Just a couple of weeks ago, my own father fell and broke his wrist. One year ago he also fell and hurt his back. These injuries don't sound so bad, but the side effects of falls can be extremely serious for seniors living with chronic illnesses. In the case of my father, he ended up getting a cancerous tumor in exactly the mid-back area he injured. This was cancer metastasis from the colorectal cancer he was being treated for with chemotherapy at the time. With this last fall where he fractured his wrist we are worried that there may be another metastasis and/or resulting weakness and acceleration of osteopenia into osteoporosis. Because fractures can lead to osteoporosis of the involved bones.
In the most recent fall, my father lost his balance as a result of medication which caused dizziness. However, he does follow an exercise regimen. I have also included Yoga exercises
to help with balance and body awareness. At first could not take the Yoga serious since he thought he was too old to be a beginner. After the last fall, he is taking it more serious.
Yoga for strength and balance are essential for seniors so that they continue to be independent, functional and accident free. It doesn't take alot of time, just 20-30 minutes three times a week.
With just these 3 sessions a week, you can benefit enormously and prevent falls.
A great and easy dvd for people getting started with Yoga is the Leslie Sansone, You Can Do
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