Winter activities for the infirmed
As the New Year begins, one of the most common resolutions is to lose weight and get in better shape.
Certain activities that require skill, coordination, and endurance (eg, skating, skiing, sledding) may not be suited for people who may be weak from cancer treatment or surgery, or who are physically deconditioned (that’s the medical term for “out of shape”). But simple walking outside on a neighborhood street or groomed trail is safe for virtually everyone and endurance can be challenged by increasing the pace or walking up a hill.
If patients are receiving medications, chemotherapy or other treatments they should be aware of icy patches and uneven pavement, because weak bones caused by treatment or disease can lead to bad hip fractures or other injuries.
Common sense rules apply for the patients and these include trying to walk for a few minutes each day at an intensity that allows them to breathe and speak and then increasing or decreasing the amount of walking time as tolerated. If the weather is too cold or inclement, patients should seek indoor places such as a shopping mall.
As a safety issue, patients should stay outdoors for shorter periods and remain on marked trails and walkways near transportation and other people. They should carry a cell phone and identification in case something was to happen and they should inform someone they are going out for the walk or exercise.
Always dressing in layers is important and wearing sunscreen even in the winter is important if they will be out in the middle of the day. Some medicines and diseases can cause nerve damage and patients may not actually feel their feet or notice sores on them, so it is a good idea to have them check their feet daily and wear thick socks and properly fitting shoes.
Winter activities require some changes in nutrition as well. Foods that consist of carbohydrates (55%-65%), protein (10%–15%), and fat are important and foods that help with nausea like trail mix is a healthy choice. Cold weather does blunt thirst, so patients will feel less thirsty despite higher levels of evaporative water loss and those on chemotherapy and radiation therapy should be even more mindful of fluid intake and consume fluids more frequently. Hydration is very important in all of these activities.
These tips may allow patients to still enjoy participating in winter activities with their friends and family.
Certain activities that require skill, coordination, and endurance (eg, skating, skiing, sledding) may not be suited for people who may be weak from cancer treatment or surgery, or who are physically deconditioned (that’s the medical term for “out of shape”). But simple walking outside on a neighborhood street or groomed trail is safe for virtually everyone and endurance can be challenged by increasing the pace or walking up a hill.
If patients are receiving medications, chemotherapy or other treatments they should be aware of icy patches and uneven pavement, because weak bones caused by treatment or disease can lead to bad hip fractures or other injuries.
Common sense rules apply for the patients and these include trying to walk for a few minutes each day at an intensity that allows them to breathe and speak and then increasing or decreasing the amount of walking time as tolerated. If the weather is too cold or inclement, patients should seek indoor places such as a shopping mall.
As a safety issue, patients should stay outdoors for shorter periods and remain on marked trails and walkways near transportation and other people. They should carry a cell phone and identification in case something was to happen and they should inform someone they are going out for the walk or exercise.
Always dressing in layers is important and wearing sunscreen even in the winter is important if they will be out in the middle of the day. Some medicines and diseases can cause nerve damage and patients may not actually feel their feet or notice sores on them, so it is a good idea to have them check their feet daily and wear thick socks and properly fitting shoes.
Winter activities require some changes in nutrition as well. Foods that consist of carbohydrates (55%-65%), protein (10%–15%), and fat are important and foods that help with nausea like trail mix is a healthy choice. Cold weather does blunt thirst, so patients will feel less thirsty despite higher levels of evaporative water loss and those on chemotherapy and radiation therapy should be even more mindful of fluid intake and consume fluids more frequently. Hydration is very important in all of these activities.
These tips may allow patients to still enjoy participating in winter activities with their friends and family.
posted by Anonymous at 5:42 AM
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