If you are living with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), a long-term lung condition, your doctor may have advised you to exercise. It is actually very good for your health. However, just like driving a car carefully, there are a few things we need to be careful about when exercising. Only by listening to our bodies and exercising properly can we get the most out of it. So, today, shall we talk about what are the things we need to be careful about when exercising with COPD?
General things to remember before and while exercising
Exercise is not something you should rush into and do all at once. If you take care of a few small things, you can exercise safely.
What if there is a change in medication?
Imagine that your doctor has started you on a new medication or changed the dosage of an old one. In such a case, you should definitely talk to your doctor before you start exercising as usual. Because the new medication can greatly change the way your body responds to exercise. You may feel tired more quickly, or you may experience other discomfort. Therefore, seek medical advice first.
Listen to the tiredness.
Some days we feel more tired than usual. There are times when we think, "Today is really hard on my body." If you think, "Did I work out a little too hard yesterday?", reduce the level of exercise that day. If you feel unbearably tired, it's best to not exercise that day. Keep a balance between your work and rest. Don't always go to the same place to work out.
Your body is your best friend. Listen to what that friend says. Give it a break when it says it's tired.
What if I stop exercising in the middle?
Imagine that you have a fever or some other illness that prevents you from exercising for a few days. Or maybe you have been traveling and missed a few days of exercise. When you start again, don't immediately start at the same level you were doing before. Start at a lower level and gradually build up to your usual level over a few days as your body adjusts.
Don't exercise when you're sick!
If you feel unwell or have a fever, do not exercise for any reason. Wait two to three days after all symptoms have completely disappeared before you start exercising. However, if your doctor gives you any other advice, follow that advice.
Stay away from these kinds of exercises and activities.
As someone with COPD, some exercises and everyday activities can put unnecessary strain on your lungs, so be especially careful about these things.
- Lifting and pushing: Avoid tasks like moving a gas cylinder at home, lifting a heavy bucket, or pushing a heavy table. If you have to lift something heavy, exhale while lifting.
- Garden work: Avoid strenuous tasks such as mowing the lawn, hoeing, raking leaves, and digging up soil with shovels.
- Housework: Sometimes chores like mopping the floor or wiping the walls are more tiring than you think. At times like these, there's no shame in asking a family member for help.
- Some types of exercise: Avoid exercises like `push-ups` and `sit-ups`. Also avoid `isometric exercises`. Simply put, `isometric exercises` are exercises in which one muscle is pressed against another or against a stationary object (such as a wall). These can increase pressure inside the chest.
However, check with your doctor to make sure you can do exercises like weight lifting, weight machines, brisk walking or jogging, and swimming.
Do you also need to think about the exercise environment?
Yes, definitely. Where you exercise and the weather directly affect your body.
- Extreme cold, heat, and humidity: If you exercise outdoors, avoid exercising on extremely cold days, extremely hot days, and days with high humidity (humidity). You can feel tired very quickly, especially when it's very humid. Also, high temperatures can interfere with your blood circulation, causing difficulty breathing and even chest pain.
- Indoor Exercise: For days when the weather is not good, exercise indoors. Or walking around a large shopping mall is also a good option.
- Hills and Slopes: Avoid steep slopes and hills whenever possible. If you must climb a hill, slow down your pace and take small steps. Keep an eye on your heart rate.
- After exercise: Avoid taking a hot or cold shower right after exercising. Also, avoid going to a sauna.
How to listen to the signals your body gives you
When you exercise, your body gives you different signals. It tells us things like, "I'm a little tired now," "Should we rest a little?", "This is a little hard." The most important thing is to recognize these signals and respond to them.
| Body's Signal | What You Should Do |
|---|---|
| Difficulty breathing or extreme fatigue | Slow down your exercise, or stop completely, and rest. Sit in a chair with your legs propped up. If you continue to have trouble breathing, call your doctor immediately. |
| Fast or irregular heartbeat (palpitations) | Stop exercising immediately and rest calmly. After resting for about 15 minutes, check your pulse. If your pulse rate is still above 120-150 beats per minute, call your doctor for further advice. |
| Any kind of pain | Never ignore pain. If you experience chest pain or pain anywhere else in your body, stop exercising immediately. Exercising through pain can damage your joints or other areas. Talk to your doctor about this and get advice. |
| Rest after exercise | If you feel too tired or have difficulty breathing after exercising, do not lie down in bed. Instead, sit in a comfortable chair and rest. Lying down in bed can reduce exercise tolerance. |
If these symptoms occur, stop exercising immediately!
There are certain symptoms that, if they appear, you should immediately stop the exercise you are doing and rest without thinking twice. These are the "red light" warning signs.
| Warning signs that you should stop exercising immediately |
|---|
| ✔️ Feeling of chest pain or tightness |
| ✔️ Feeling weak in the body |
| ✔️ Feeling dizzy or faint |
| ✔️ Feeling pressure or pain in the chest, neck, arm, jaw, or shoulder |
| ✔️ Weight gain or swelling for no reason ( if you experience this symptom, call your doctor immediately ) |
| ✔️ Any other unusual symptoms that make you suspicious |
If you experience any of these symptoms and they don't go away even after resting, be sure to talk to your doctor. You may need to make changes to your medications, diet, or fluid restrictions.
Take-Home Message
- Exercising with COPD is great, but it needs to be done safely and intelligently.
- Always talk to your doctor about your exercise regimen if your medication changes.
- Listen to your body. Rest if you feel tired. Stop exercising if you feel pain.
- Avoid exercising outdoors on days that are extremely hot, cold, and humid.
- If you experience warning signs such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness, stop exercising immediately.
- Exercise is something you should make your best friend, but be careful with that friend. Always consult your doctor if you have a problem.
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