Staying Active with Crohn’s Disease

Along with gastrointestinal problems, fatigue is yet another common symptom with Crohn’s disease.

Feeling exhausted on a regular basis may seem like a good reason to stay on the couch, but it will only make you feel worse.  Fatigue, especially in Crohn’s patients, is a double-edged sword. It makes you feel like avoiding exercise, yet exercise can help reduce some of the symptoms of Crohn’s disease.

Affects of Exercise on Crohn’s Symptoms

According to a 2008 study from the University of Georgia, people who regularly experience fatigue can see a 65 percent drop in fatigue, along with a 20 percent increase in energy, by regularly engaging in low-intensity exercise.  The study concluded that among all the other health benefits, exercise may directly impact the central nervous system to reduce fatigue and increase energy.  Exercise can also modulate the inflammation that is a central part of why Crohn’s disease is so disabling.

Along with fatigue, regular exercise also helps reduce stress and decrease the risk of depression, two other common symptoms in Crohn’s patients. Exercising with weights or jogging is also good at preventing osteoporosis, a bone-thinning condition that Crohn’s patients are more susceptible to because of malabsorption and chronic inflammation.

Tips for an Active Lifestyle

Most Crohn’s patients, especially those with mild Crohn’s or disease in remission, are able to exercise without restrictions. If you experience fatigue as a result of Crohn’s—and hope to improve it—here are some helpful tips to becoming more physically active.

• Talk to Your Doctor. Before beginning any new exercise routine, talk to your doctor about what intensity you’re ready to begin with.
• Make Small Changes. Just as you begin to exercise, there are small everyday changes you can make to get you started. Taking the stairs, choosing a more distant parking spot, or any other way you can trick yourself into being even the least bit active will yield positive results.
• Stretch it Out. Stretching before and during exercising is important. It not only loosens muscles, but gets blood flowing to active muscles and prepares your brain for the activity to come. Stretching after exercising also helps keep your limbs limber.
• Find Something You Love. When choosing an exercise, one of the most important things is to choose something you will enjoy doing over and over. There’s no point in taking up an activity that will bore you. Doing something you enjoy ensures you’ll look forward to picking it up again.
• Get a Partner. Spouses, coworkers, and friends are all great sources of motivation. If you bring one of them in and set dates to exercise, you’ll be less likely to back out. Also, it’s a great way to spend time together in a new, healthier way.
• Start Slowly. Easing into exercise is best. Shooting a few hoops in the driveway, going for a quick dip in the pool, or playing Nintendo Wii or Xbox Kinect with the kids are all good ways to start.
• Find the Right Location. As you begin exercising, your body will respond accordingly. You will most likely experience some changes in your gastrointestinal tract, so it’s best to be close to a bathroom until you know what to expect while exercising.
• Progress Makes Progress. The more you exercise and your energy increases, the more challenges you could be willing to take up. Don’t be afraid to continue to try something new and exciting. Ballet? Paintball? Canoeing? Who knows! Your success depends on your determination, regular exercise, and following you doctor’s advice.