What Causes Exercise Intolerance?

There are a number of different disorders that can cause exercise intolerance. Exercise intolerance occurs when an individual is unable to exercise an average amount. It's an important phenomenon for both medical professionals and other individuals to be aware of, as exercising more is an impossible suggestion for an individual with exercise intolerance. To exercise, an individual needs to have nutrients and oxygen delivered adequately to their muscles. The muscles must be able to utilize the oxygen and nutrients. In addition, the muscles must be able to generate an appropriate amount of energy. When someone has exercise intolerance, they generally have a disorder that keeps one or more of these factors from occurring.

Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that progresses over time. It causes persistent infections in the lungs, and as time passes, the ability of the individual to breathe is severely limited. Cystic fibrosis patients have a defective gene that makes a thick buildup of mucus within the pancreas, lungs, and some other organs. When found in the lungs, this mucus clogs airways and entraps bacteria, which leads to infections, damage to the lungs, and eventual respiratory failure. Within the pancreas, this mucus buildup prevents digestive enzymes from being released, so the person doesn't absorb the nutrients they need from food. Cystic fibrosis causes exercise intolerance because it severely limits the body's ability to take in oxygen, while also preventing the muscles from metabolizing nutrients the way they should. Individuals with cystic fibrosis tend to experience persistent coughing, often with phlegm. They also have frequent severe lung infections that include bronchitis or pneumonia. Wheezing, shortness of breath, and poor growth are also common symptoms.

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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a medical disorder that causes extreme tiredness and fatigue not associated with another medical condition. Resting doesn't improve the fatigue, but physical and mental activity might cause said fatigue to worsen. Other names for the disorder include systemic exertion intolerance disease and myalgic encephalomyelitis. Chronic fatigue syndrome doesn't have any known cause, although medical professionals have a variety of theories. Some professionals believe the condition is brought on by psychological stress or viral infections, or a combination of potential factors. No individual test confirms a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome. Individuals tend to need many medical tests that rule out potential health issues. The typical treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome has a focus on relief from symptoms. Individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome cannot tolerate exercise without their condition being worsened. Signs of chronic fatigue syndrome include fatigue, a sore throat, enlarged lymph nodes, unexplained joint or muscle pain, loss of concentration or memory, headaches, and extreme exhaustion. These periods of exhaustion might last longer than twenty-four hours after a person engages in mental or physical exercise.

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