Is it advisable to do exercise when affected by Addison Disease? Which activities would you suggest and how intense should they be?

See if it is advisable for people with Addison Disease to practice sports and which ones are the most recommended if you have Addison Disease

Addison's disease, also known as adrenal insufficiency, is a condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough hormones, particularly cortisol and aldosterone. Exercise can be beneficial for individuals with Addison's disease, as it helps maintain overall health and well-being. However, it is important to approach exercise with caution and consider certain factors to ensure safety and optimize the benefits. In this response, I will discuss the benefits of exercise for individuals with Addison's disease, suggest suitable activities, and provide guidelines on intensity and safety considerations.

Benefits of exercise for individuals with Addison's disease:
Regular exercise can offer several advantages for individuals with Addison's disease, including:
a. Physical fitness and cardiovascular health: Exercise helps improve cardiovascular fitness, strengthens muscles, and enhances endurance. It also supports weight management and contributes to overall physical well-being.

b. Mood and mental health: Physical activity stimulates the release of endorphins, which are natural mood-boosting chemicals in the brain. Regular exercise can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, improving mental well-being.

c. Bone health: Addison's disease is associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis. Weight-bearing exercises, such as walking or strength training, can help promote bone density and reduce the risk of fractures.

d. Blood sugar management: Regular exercise can help regulate blood sugar levels, which is important for individuals with Addison's disease who may be at higher risk of developing diabetes.

Suitable activities for individuals with Addison's disease:
When selecting activities, it is important to consider individual capabilities, preferences, and any other medical conditions. Some recommended exercises for individuals with Addison's disease include:
a. Aerobic exercises: Activities like walking, swimming, cycling, and low-impact aerobics can improve cardiovascular fitness without excessive strain on the body.

b. Strength training: Moderate resistance training with weights, resistance bands, or bodyweight exercises can help build muscle strength and improve overall functional capacity.

c. Flexibility exercises: Stretching exercises, yoga, or Pilates can improve flexibility, joint mobility, and posture.

Intensity and safety considerations:
The intensity of exercise should be personalized based on individual fitness levels, overall health, and any specific limitations. Here are some guidelines to consider:
a. Start slowly: If you are new to exercise or have been inactive, it is essential to begin with low-intensity activities and gradually increase the duration and intensity over time. This allows your body to adapt and minimize the risk of injury or excessive fatigue.

b. Listen to your body: Pay attention to your energy levels and any signs of fatigue, dizziness, or pain during or after exercise. It is crucial to respect your body's limits and adjust the intensity or duration of activities accordingly.

c. Stay hydrated: Individuals with Addison's disease may have difficulty maintaining proper fluid balance. Ensure adequate hydration before, during, and after exercise, especially in warmer weather.

d. Medication adjustments: It is important to work closely with your healthcare provider to ensure your medication regimen is appropriately adjusted to accommodate exercise. Depending on the intensity and duration of your activities, modifications to your medication dosages or timing may be necessary to prevent complications.

e. Carry emergency medication: In case of adrenal crisis or severe symptoms during exercise, individuals with Addison's disease should always have their emergency injection kit (containing injectable hydrocortisone) readily available. This is a precautionary measure to address potential adrenal insufficiency emergencies.

f. Communicate with your healthcare provider: Before starting or modifying an exercise routine, it is advisable to consult with your healthcare provider. They can provide personalized guidance, consider any specific concerns, and help you develop an exercise plan suitable for your condition.

Remember, the information provided here serves as general guidance, and individual needs may vary. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional who is familiar with your specific health situation and can provide personalized advice.

In conclusion, exercise can be beneficial for individuals with Addison's disease, promoting physical fitness, cardiovascular health, mental well-being, and bone density. Suitable activities may include aerobic exercises, strength training, and flexibility exercises. The intensity of exercise should be personalized, starting slowly and gradually increasing over time. Safety considerations such as hydration, medication adjustments, and carrying emergency medication are essential. Consulting with a healthcare professional is recommended to develop an individualized exercise plan that considers your specific needs and limitations.

by Diseasemaps

Exercise is recommended but must be managed very closely to limit undue physical stress (we cannot produce extra cortisol to respond to physical stress) and dehydration or electrolyte imbalance. Because of the lack of vitamin D, lack of natural cortisol, lack of androgens and other factors we are at an elevated risk of osteoporosis. Weight-bearing exercise can reduce this risk. Regular exercise can also help reduce weight gain prevalent in Addison's patients and possibly reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

3/11/17 by justdeirdre 1051

Do whatever you want to it will take a while to know your body's limits make sure you stress dose before as you will need it

3/12/17 by S 2350

Exercise is good. Low impact or swimming. Something not to stressful

3/12/17 by Vikki 1000

You can exercise but pay attention to what your body is telling you. Too much strain could be an issue

4/27/17 by Missy 1650

With proper medical care and training I have been able to do most activities. I am much better with low impact exercises tho

5/21/17 by Jodi 850

It is not advised to decrease activity in any way. A person may need to adjust their dose of cortisol to allow extra 'energy' when exercising, however for others this may be unnecessary.

5/30/17 by Lucienne 800

Yes, but when starting increase meds for the first few days. Any exercise activity is fine

9/12/17 by Tina 2050
Translated from portuguese Improve translation

Yes, depending on each patient, exercises leads to moderate intensity,three times a week.

6/24/17 by Elineuda. Translated
Translated from spanish Improve translation

It is important the sport is low-impact to already that a long day of exercise can be translated as stress as well as be aware of to be replacing electrolytes, it is recommended that one hour per day in individuals who are well replaced and already with bue na condition or half an hour every third day

10/17/17 by Lizz. Translated
Translated from spanish Improve translation

It is recommended to do moderate exercise but not leave us exhausted

10/18/17 by Susana. Translated
Translated from spanish Improve translation

I play football many years and I had to leave it for me to cause stress to the tension of the party to suffer, until the vomiting, now only one path and I run , but never forget to hydrate well

10/18/17 by . Translated
Translated from spanish Improve translation

I made a box and ran, but he had a crisis in training. I changed it to spinning 40 minutes 3 days a week with me. Hydrate. During. The. Class and after she

10/26/17 by Lizz. Translated
Translated from spanish Improve translation

if it is recommended to do sport not in excess but the exercise can help to strengthen the muscles as they these at risk esteoporosis

10/31/17 by Dayana. Translated
Translated from portuguese Improve translation

At the moment I do not feel that I have the strength to practice the exercises. I feel intense fatigue

11/6/17 by ana carolina. Translated

Top questions

What is the life expectancy of someone with Addison Disease?

Celebrities with Addison Disease

Is Addison Disease hereditary?

Is Addison Disease contagious?

Is there any natural treatment for Addison Disease?

View more questions of Addison Disease

World map of Addison Disease


Find people with Addison Disease through the map. Connect with them and share experiences. Join the Addison Disease community.

There are 1356 people in the map. View Map of Addison Disease