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Exercise

Why exercise?

It strengthens the heart muscle, alerts the mind, increases self-esteem, reduces stress, tension and anxiety, provides energy, helps maintain weight, controls appetite, decreases risk for injury, helps reduce body fat and decreases the risk for obesity-related problems such as heart disease, arthritis and joint problems.1

Step it up

The good news is if your PI condition is well managed, you can have a very active lifestyle. Pick a variety of activities you can do 30 minutes a day…every day. If the best you can manage is a leisurely stroll, by all means, start walking. Swimming, biking and walking all promote lung function, muscle development and strength. The more adventurous might want to try jogging, bike riding or rollerblading.1,2

Check it out

Ask your doctor if you have any limitations related to exercise before starting. For instance, if you have problems controlling bleeding, your doctor might recommend more low-impact type of exercise. Or if you have a central line, contact sports or karate might not be good choices.1

Go out for the team

If you're a high schooler itching to join a team, but are limited by your PI, Debra Sedlak, pediatric nurse practitioner at Duke University, urges you to get involved in non-active ways. “Become the team mascot or manager. Sports are very social at this age and it's to your benefit to be part of it.”

Do drink water, but only your own

No matter how thirsty you are, for PI patients it's especially important to remember: do not drink from other people's water bottles due to the risk for infection.1

  1. IDF National Conference 2003
  2. IDF Patient/Family Handbook