What is Deconditioning
Deconditioning refers to the changes in your body that occur during a period of inactivity. The changes happen in your heart, lungs, and muscles. They decrease your ability to be active, and they make you feel tired and weak.
There are three stages of deconditioning:
- Mild deconditioning. At this stage, you will notice a change in your ability to do your usual exercise activities, such as running, biking, or swimming.
- Moderate deconditioning. At this stage, you will notice a change in your ability to do normal everyday activities, such as walking, grocery shopping, and doing chores.
- Severe deconditioning. At this stage, you will notice a change in your ability to do minimal activity or normal self-care.
Deconditioning can occur after only a few days of inactivity. The longer the period of inactivity, the more severe the deconditioning will be, and the longer it will take to return to your previous level of functioning.
What are the causes?
Deconditioning is often caused by inactivity due to:
- Illnesses, such as cancer, stroke, heart attack, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Injuries, especially back injuries, broken bones, and ligament and tendon injuries.
- A long stay in the hospital.
- Pregnancy, especially if long periods of bed rest are needed.
What increases the risk?
This condition is more likely to develop in:
- People who are hospitalized.
- People on bed rest.
- People who are obese.
- People with poor nutrition.
- Elderly adults.
- People with injuries or illnesses that interfere with movement and activity.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Symptoms of deconditioning include:
- Weakness.
- Tiredness.
- Shortness of breath with minor exertion.
- A faster-than-normal heartbeat. You may not notice this without taking your pulse.
- Pain or discomfort with activity.
- Decreased strength.
- Decreased sense of balance.
- Decreased endurance.
- Difficulty doing your usual forms of exercise.
- Difficulty doing activities of daily living, such as grocery shopping or chores.
- Difficulty walking around the house and doing basic self-care, such as getting to the bathroom, preparing meals, or doing laundry.
How is this diagnosed?
Deconditioning is diagnosed based on your medical history and a physical exam. During the physical exam, your health care provider will check for signs of deconditioning, such as:
- Decreased size of muscles.
- Decreased strength.
- Trouble with balance.
- Shortness of breath or abnormally increased heart rate after minor exertion.
How is this treated?
Treatment for deconditioning usually involves following a structured exercise program in which activity is increased gradually. Your health care provider will determine which exercises are right for you. The exercise program will likely include aerobic exercise and strength training:
- Aerobic exercise helps improve the functioning of the heart and lungs as well as the muscles.
- Strength training helps improve muscle size and strength.
Both of these types of exercise will improve your endurance. You may be referred to a physical therapist who can create a safe strengthening program for you to follow.
Follow these instructions at home:
Follow the exercise program that is recommended by your health care provider or physical therapist.
- Do notincrease your exercise any faster than directed.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Do notuse any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
- You are not able to carry out the prescribed exercise program.
- You are becoming more and more fatigued and weak.
- You become light-headed when rising to a sitting or standing position.
- Your level of endurance decreases after it has improved.
Get help right away if:
- You have chest pain.
- You are very short of breath.
- You have any episodes of passing out.
