Any illness tends to decrease your aerobic capacity. However, you can gain back the capacity lost in the acute phase of an illness if you work with your doctor to come up with the safe program for you. According to the Hepatitis B Foundation, getting regular exercise can benefit patients with chronic Hepatitis B. Regular exercise increases energy levels, decreases stress on the liver and, in many cases, can even delay the onset of certain complications associated with liver disease. If you are a patient with hepatits B, be sure to check with your doctor before beginning an aerobics program.
Benefits of Aerobic Exercise for Hepatitis Patients
According to Dr. Melissa Palmer, the author of "Dr. Melissa Palmer's Guide of Hepatitis and Liver Disease," consistent aerobic exercise is important for people with liver disease. She states that aerobic exercise trains the cardiovascular system to deliver oxygen more efficiently to every part of the body. She also says that increasing your aerobic capacity benefits your liver. As you become more fit aerobically, your heart can pump blood more efficiently to your liver and other parts of the body.
Beginning an Exercise Program
Dr. Palmer suggests that liver disease patients start with easy exercise goals. A reasonable way to start is to do 10-20 minutes of aerobic exercise followed by a few weight-bearing exercises, three times a week. She reminds her patients that doing only a little exercise is better than doing no exercise. Of course, you'll always want to check with your doctor about your specific situation.
Measuring Aerobic Capacity
To measure aerobic capacity in patients with chronic liver disease, including chronic hepatitis B patients, simply record how far the patient with can walk in six minutes. Researchers studying this tool in an article for the August 2007 issue of "World Journal of Gastroenterology" found that the distances walked by hepatitis B patients were less than that walked by healthy subjects, even when the patients were inactive carriers. Inactive carriers hepatitis B patients that have normal liver enzymes. The researchers hope that doctors can use this tool as a prognostic indicator in patients with liver disease.
Adequate Water Intake to Support Aerobic Exercise
It's important for people with liver disease to replenish the water lost during exercise. Dr. Palmer recommends drinking at least six to eight cups of water each day. There are special cases in which a liver disease patient may need more or less water intake, so check with your doctor about your water intake.
Avoid Exercise During Acute Phase of Hepatitis B
You should avoid intense exercise if you are in an acute phase of hepatitis or if you are having severe symptoms. If you're exhausted, it's time to rest.
