When it comes to exercise, even healthy individuals struggle to commit. Imagine the plight of a person who has an autoimmune disease, a condition that leaves one tired and debilitated for long periods of time. In some cases, autoimmune conditions also affect people’s mobility, further demotivating them to stay physically active.
But then there are stars like Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who, even after being diagnosed with myositis, an autoimmune condition that weakens muscle fibres, has continued training and given the disease a tough fight. The actor frequently posts stories and videos of herself working out in the gym and lifting heavy weights.
Although this does not mean that everyone is the same or has similar experiences with autoimmune diseases, if you’re someone who has an autoimmune condition and wonders whether to stop exercising because of it, here’s what a doctor has to say.
Also Read: Recognising the Red Flags: 20 Signs You Have an Autoimmune Disease
How Autoimmune Diseases Affect The Body?
Talking to the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Arghya Chattopadhyay, Consultant, Rheumatology, Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, shares that autoimmune disease is a condition that disrupts the body's immune response. This means that the condition causes the immune system to mistakenly attack its own tissues and organs.
Ideally, the immune system is supposed to protect against external threats. However, when it malfunctions, it turns against internal structures, potentially affecting any organ from the ears to the brain, lungs, kidneys, and beyond, explained Dr Chattopadhyay.
This misdirected attack can result in a variety of symptoms and conditions, ranging from joint pain to muscle weakness, neurological impairment, and even organ damage, he added.
Types Of Autoimmune Disease That Affect Mobility
Several types of autoimmune diseases can impact mobility. This includes:
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) stands as a prototype of joint-involving autoimmune diseases, causing inflammation and pain that can hinder movement. RA is also one of the most common types of arthritis, affecting more than one crore people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Myositis affects muscles, potentially leading to immobility.
Autoimmune encephalitis is a group of related conditions in which the body's immune system attacks the brain, causing inflammation.
Vasculitis affects nerves, severely impairing mobility and making simple tasks challenging or impossible.
Lupus occurs when your body's immune system attacks your own tissues and organs, leading to inflammation in your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs.
Also Read: What Happens When the Immune System Invades Your Own Tissue ? Know About Lupus
Should You Stop Exercising If You Have An Autoimmune Disease?
Living with an autoimmune disease can be challenging, more so if it affects mobility, making everyday tasks difficult to perform. Exercising can sometimes feel out of the question. However, Dr Chattopadhyay suggests that exercise can play a crucial role in managing autoimmune diseases, even for those experiencing joint involvement.
“Movement helps maintain joint flexibility and muscle strength, contributing to overall mobility. Regular exercise can also improve cardiovascular health and mood, which may be adversely affected by autoimmune conditions,” he says.
A 2017 systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing found that moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, done three times a week for 12 weeks and supervised by professionals, is most effective at reducing fatigue and improving vitality in patients with lupus.
It is also important to note that the benefits of exercising with an autoimmune condition extend beyond physical mobility, the doctor says, adding that it can enhance overall well-being, alleviate stress, and boost energy levels.
However, exercise routines should be tailored to individual capabilities and limitations with guidance from healthcare professionals, he advises.
A Final Word
While exercising regularly can help people with autoimmune conditions manage their symptoms, adopting a healthy lifestyle can also contribute to the benefits.
Following a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, avoiding fried foods, and reducing alcohol intake can help support immune function and minimise disease flare-ups. Additionally, quitting smoking is crucial, as it is a known trigger for autoimmune conditions.