Q: I am 65 and was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in October 2004. My lower extremities are so weak I have trouble standing and walking up stairs. Can you recommend some exercises to build up my legs again?
– Mary Hoskins, Lancaster, Pa.
A: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic disease characterized by inflammation and ulcers deep in the layers of the large intestine. UC is considered rare (affecting 50 of 100,000 people in the United States), primarily affecting those with a family or genetic history of UC, those who eat a diet high in sugar and fat (primarily from meat and dairy products), and those who experience a long period of extreme stress.
Because the inflammation occurs in the large intestine where many minerals and most of the water from food are absorbed, replacing lost nutrients is a primary concern.
Your physician can recommend a registered dietitian to help you with this. Once medication and diet are stabilized, it’s time to get back into regular exercise.
Because people over age 60 with UC and other inflammatory bowl diseases often are at a higher risk for bone fractures and leg or lung clots, it is imperative to consult with a physician before beginning any program.
When you are cleared to participate, your best option may be to begin in a swimming pool because water will give you both support and resistance while you exercise.
Look for a beginner water exercise class or just walk as fast as you can in the shallow (about 4 feet deep) parts of the pool.
Another way to regain leg strength is by taking Pilates, especially the classes using equipment known as the “reformer.” The spring and pulley design not only will strengthen the arms and legs but also the core muscles of the back, gluteus and abdominal area.
Yoga is another avenue to gently regain strength and flexibility and is also a useful tool for stress reduction, a common cause of UC flare-ups.
Strength training can help significantly in regaining leg strength. The recumbent leg press and hamstring machines, and squats and lunges with dumbbells and barbells, are all great exercises.
If you are unfamiliar with the machines or free weights, hire a trainer for a session or two to instruct you on proper form and help with program design.
“The vast majority of people with ulcerative colitis are fully active,” says Harris Clearfield, M.D., and professor of Medicine at Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pa.
Here are his tips for maintaining your health and enjoyment level:
Find your comfort zone. Don’t overdo if you aren’t up for it.
If exercise makes your symptoms worse, consult your doctor.
Stay hydrated. Drink water before, during and after your workout.
Linda Buch, ACE certified exercise specialist and co-author of “The Commercial Break Workout” (Prima/Random House, 2002) will respond to fitness questions in her weekly column but not individually.
Send questions to: Body Language, The Denver Post, 1560 Broadway, Denver 80202 or e-mail her at LJBalance@aol.com.
