Exercise intolerance 1644698 208893189 2008-04-29T00:54:13Z Mukadderat 747735 '''Exercise intolerance''' is a condition where the [[patient]] is unable to do [[physical exercise]] at the level or for the duration that would be expected of someone in his or her general [[physical condition]], or experiences unusually severe post-exercise [[pain]], [[fatigue]], or other negative effects. Exercise intolerance is not a [[disease]] or [[syndrome]] in and of itself, but a [[symptom]]. Since there are many possible specific reasons why exercise could be inhibited, this is a rather slippery term. For instance, the patient may experience unusual breathlessness ([[dyspnea]]), muscle pain ([[myalgia]]), or increasing muscle [[weakness (medical)|weakness]] while exercising, or may, after exercise, experience severe [[headache]], [[nausea]], [[dizziness]] or extreme [[fatigue (physical)|fatigue]]. In most cases, the specific reason that exercise is not tolerated is of considerable significance when trying to isolate the cause down to a specific disease. ==Causes== Exercise intolerance is primarily found in organic [[brain]] diseases, [[mitochondrial disease]]s and [[neuromuscular disease]]s. It is considered the central symptom in [[chronic fatigue syndrome]]. Exercise intolerance can also be caused by heart conditions or conditions that cause back pain. Several heart conditions, such as a [[cardiac arrhythmia]] (abnormal heart rate or rhythm) or an [[aortic valve insufficiency]], if severe enough can cause activity problems such as shortness of breath and/or exercise intolerance. People with acute back pain from an injury or chronic back pain (e.g., from a degenerative condition) may also experience exercise limitations due to muscle spasms or limited range of spinal motion. [[Overtraining]] can also cause the intolerance. ==Treatment== Exercise is key for many heart and back patients, and a variety of specific exercise techniques are available for both groups. Some exercise specialists (e.g., [[physical therapist]]s, athletic trainers) are trained in modifications specific to these patients. ===Hazards=== Certain conditions in particular exist where exercise, particularly rehabilitation, may be contraindicated, including: *decompensated heart failure *recent [[myocardial infarction]] *hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or cardiomyopathy from recent myocarditis *active or suspected myocarditis or pericarditis *low left ventricular ejection fraction *severe aortic stenosis *unstable ischemia *unstable arrythmia *irregular or resting pulse greater than 100 bpm *resting systolic blood pressure >200 mm Hg or resting diastolic blood pressure >110 mm Hg *severe pulmonary hypertension *severe chronic fatigue syndrome *suspected or known dissecting aneurysm *recent systemic or pulmonary embolus *pneumothorax and haemoptysis *thrombophlebitis Other conditions may also preclude exercising under certain conditions. Passive [[physiotherapy]] can in some instances be an alternative for some patients unable to safely self-power. [[Category:Symptoms]] [[Category:Exercise]] [[Category:Exercise physiology]]