As of 2018, an estimated 51.8% of Americans are suffering from at least one chronic illness such as diabetes, hypertension, stroke, coronary heart disease, arthritis, cancer, asthma or COPD. Health experts believe exercise is one of the things you can do to prevent chronic ailments. Not only that, exercise also plays an important role in managing the symptoms of chronic diseases.
Aerobic exercise can aid in the prevention of heart disease. If you develop markers of heart problems — like high blood pressure and high cholesterol — moderate intensity exercise can keep these from causing dangerous problems like stroke or heart attack.
Strength training, on the other hand, promotes healthy joints and builds muscle so you can maintain mobility and function. Strength training also helps reduce pain from arthritis and help manage blood glucose levels in people suffering from type 2 diabetes.
Flexibility exercises also offer benefits such as improving your range of joint motion and easing joint pain in people with arthritis.
Exercise is the Magic Pill
The practical benefits of exercise to one’s health and well-being are impressive. It can enhance sleep, improve brain function, improve or maintain the health of the muscle, bone, heart and other connective tissues, and strengthen the immune system.
Exercise signals the brain to release chemicals that protect neurons, improve the integrity of the blood vessels and enhance circulation. It ensures that inflammation, toxins and pathogens are kept at bay and that helpful cells are able to function properly.
Neuron damage and brain inflammation tend to occur in individuals with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
Take a look at how exercise can help you manage, improve and relieve symptoms of various chronic health issues from this list:
1. Exercise May Be Able to Reverse Obesity
Obesity is a serious chronic condition and people with a body mass index of at least 30 is considered obese. About 42.4% of adults in the US as well as 19.3% of children are obese. Among the first steps you can take to avoid the effects of obesity is to get moving. Even walking a few miles a day can lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, as you work your way towards achieving a healthy weight.
2. Exercise Reduces Pain Caused by Fibromyalgia
Millions of people in the US have fibromyalgia, and it is a debilitating condition. You’ll suffer fatigue, insomnia, headaches and depression. Exercise has been found to help with the pain caused by this chronic condition particularly strength training, stretching and aerobic exercises.
3. Exercise Regulates Blood Sugar Levels
Millions of Americans suffer from diabetes, which is all the more reason to exercise regularly. Sustained physical activity is effective in glucose control, improves sensitivity to insulin and lowers blood sugar levels. It can also help lower your weight. All these are helpful in managing type 2 diabetes.
4. Exercise Can Prevent Symptoms of Heart Disease
A American Heart Association report in 2018 studied the effects of physical activity on people with coronary artery disease (CAD). It was found that exercise reduces the disease’s symptoms, enhances blood flow and lowers mortality. It also prevents plaque buildup in the arteries and boosts oxygen circulation in the blood.
Start exercising now to improve your quality of life. You can enroll at Max Fitness or workout at home. Here’s a video that teaches how to exercise safely when you have coronary artery disease: