If you have Crohn's disease, a digestive condition that causes watery diarrhea and inflammation in your intestines, exercise such as bodybuilding potentially can help you maintain your health and reduce your stress, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Bodybuilding may also help you avert another health condition, osteoporosis, that's common in Crohn's sufferers.
Crohn's Disease Basics
Crohn's disease, which can occur anywhere along your intestinal tract, usually develops between the ages of 20 and 40. Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal bloating and pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, and sometimes nausea and vomiting accompanied by fever. There's no cure for Crohn's disease, although several medications potentially can control it. Stress can trigger Crohn's symptoms, and exercise such as bodybuilding can help you to reduce your stress.
Bodybuilding Basics
Bodybuilding can help you to build muscle, which can be critical for Crohn's patients, many of whom lose weight due to their conditions. Bodybuilding also can help you to stay in tune with your body, which can help you know when a Crohn's flare is threatening and take action to avert symptoms. Bodybuilding also can build your self-image, which sometimes suffers in people such as Crohn's disease patients who have a chronic condition.
Osteoporosis
Bodybuilding also may help Crohn's disease patients ward off another serious chronic health condition: osteoporosis, the brittle bone disease. Crohn's disease patients face a higher risk of osteoporosis, since their intestines have difficulty absorbing critical nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D. Weight-bearing exercises like bodybuilding can help to strengthen your bones.
Considerations
If you decide to begin any type of exercise routine, such as bodybuilding, check with your physician first, since you may need to begin more slowly or follow other precautions due to your condition. Drink plenty of water while you work out; this is especially important if you have Crohn's disease, since Crohn's disease patients can suffer from dehydration due to diarrhea.
