Fighting Cancer with fitness

Fighting cancer with fitness

When your body becomes extremely stressed, it goes into what is known as "the fight or flight" syndrome. In this syndrome, you will do anything to survive. For example, a person who is trapped underwater may feel an enormous amount of energy surge through their body, allowing them to fight anything that keeps them from reaching air. The adrenaline rush allows you to accomplish incredible things.

This type of syndrome occurs in cancer patients, though not in the same way as a near death experience, such as drowning. When cancer patients are diagnosed with their condition, they find every way possible to help their health. This is true for all different types of cancer including the common cancers such as breast cancer to the rare diseases like mesothelioma.

One way that cancer patients fight their condition is by exercising. We all know that exercise has multiple benefits, but not many people know that it can help cancer patients. Of course, cancer patients have different limitations, according to the type of cancer they have. For example, a patient who undergoes mesothelioma treatment will not be able to perform the same exercises as a breast cancer patient.

Medical experts understand the specific needs of cancer patients in terms of fitness. That is why they have developed programs that fit various cancer patients' needs, equipping trainers with the information they need to help the patients.

Fitness gives cancer patients back control over their lives. The countless surgeries and treatments can severely destroy the sense of control that a person has over his or her life. This can result in a devastating negative mindset. When patients feel like they are in control of their lives again, their quality of life and well-being greatly improves. Studies show that optimistic people are generally healthy and heal quickly from illnesses.

Moreover, aside from the psychological benefits, the physical benefits of exercise are great. Many exercises help prevent bone deterioration, thus causing osteoporosis. This type of prevention can also help patients feel stronger, more energized, thus relieving debilitating fatigue.

Additionally, fitness helps keep various functions of the body strong. Such functions include the nervous system, respiratory system and immune system. When these functions are performing efficiently, they can help fight the cancer cells and any other harmful substance within the body.

Though fitness does not cure cancer, it can greatly help improve the cancer patient's life. This article also explains the importance of fitness in relation to cancer.

By: David Haas