How Does Exercise Help Lupus Patients?
Here are a few ways that exercise can benefit people with lupus: • Fatigue. “Being physically active helps prevent fatigue, a major symptom of lupus,” says Amita Bishnoi, MD, a rheumatologist who treats lupus patients at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Studies have shown that lupus patients who participate in an aerobic exercise program are able to reduce their level of fatigue and have more energy throughout the day. • Cardiovascular benefits. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for people with lupus. If you have lupus, you’re at risk of getting heart disease up to 20 years sooner than the general population. Regular exercise, especially aerobic exercise like walking or biking, can decrease your risk of heart disease. • Obesity. Obesity is a common problem in people with lupus. Obesity can increase your level of pain, put more strain on inflamed joints, increase your risk of heart disease, and make your fatigue worse. • Osteoporosis. Women with lupus are especially vulnerable
