If Exercise Could Cure This, I Would Have Been Cured So Quickly
Striving for fitness is usually healing. But for most people with long COVID, it can be toxic.
Exercise: A Trigger for Decline for People with Long COVID
Lauren Shoemaker, an ecologist at the University of Wyoming, experienced a sudden decline in her health after contracting COVID in May 2022. Initially, she couldn't wait to return to her active lifestyle of skiing, backpacking, and jogging. However, a few weeks after her infection, she started feeling off and eventually became completely exhausted.
Shoemaker's case is not unique among people with long COVID. Many individuals who previously relied on exercise to energize them now find that physical activity exacerbates their symptoms. This condition, known as post-exertional malaise (PEM), can be debilitating and frustrating for those affected.
For the majority of people, exercise is beneficial in numerous ways, including boosting immunity, heart function, cognition, mood, energy, and even life span. It is often recommended by doctors for various health conditions. However, for individuals with long COVID, exercise can have the opposite effect, worsening their symptoms and causing a decline in their overall health.
The Rare Impact of Post-Exertional Malaise
Post-exertional malaise (PEM) is a condition that affects individuals with long COVID, causing a significant worsening of symptoms after physical activity. While exercise is generally considered beneficial for most health conditions, its impact on long COVID patients is unique and rare.
PEM can lead to extreme exhaustion, cognitive difficulties, and an inability to perform daily tasks. Activities that were once enjoyable and energizing now become triggers for a decline in health. This phenomenon has left many individuals with long COVID puzzled and frustrated, as they find themselves unable to engage in the physical activities they once enjoyed without experiencing a setback in their recovery.
Understanding the impact of PEM on individuals with long COVID is crucial for healthcare providers. It highlights the complexities of the condition and the need for tailored approaches to treatment and rehabilitation that consider the specific challenges faced by these patients.
The Dilemma of Exercise for Long COVID Patients
The experience of individuals like Lauren Shoemaker raises an important dilemma for people with long COVID. While exercise is generally recommended for maintaining physical and mental well-being, it can have a toxic effect on those with long COVID. This presents a challenge for individuals who are eager to regain their pre-COVID level of fitness but are hindered by the adverse impact of physical activity.
Healthcare providers and researchers are still exploring the underlying mechanisms behind PEM in long COVID patients. Finding solutions and effective management strategies for this condition is crucial for improving the quality of life for those affected. In the meantime, individuals with long COVID may need to modify their exercise routines and seek guidance from healthcare professionals to find a balance between maintaining their health and avoiding PEM.
The journey towards recovery from long COVID is complex and unique for each individual. Recognizing the challenges presented by exercise-induced PEM is an important step in providing appropriate support and care to those on this journey.
