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Deconditioning [dee-kuhn-DIH-shun-ing] happens when the body does not get enough exercise. This can be due to inactivity or needed bedrest. It tends to be a long-term process of change. The result is being very out of shape. It can affect these body parts and others:
One of the main symptoms is easily getting short of breath. Short of breath means it feels like you can’t breathe deeply enough or get enough air. It may seem like your child has signs of heart or lung problems. If the cause is actually deconditioning, a cardiopulmonary [CAR-dee-oh-PUHL- moh-ner-ee] exercise test can reveal it.
Deconditioning is more common in adults and older people who are less active and have a harder time staying strong, but if your child has an illness or injury that puts them on bedrest for a long time, they could have this problem, too.
If your child stays out of shape for a long time, they have a higher risk of being overweight or obese, which could put them at a higher risk for problems as they get older, such as:
The symptoms of deconditioning may include some or all of these:
Your child is also at risk of other problems, such as COPD. The first of the COPD stages is a chronic cough that often brings up mucus. Your child’s healthcare provider can look for signs of other problems that might be caused by deconditioning.
If your child has a sedentary lifestyle or recently was hurt and needed bedrest, you should look for the signs of deconditioning.
If your child is having a hard time because they are often short of breath or tired, you should talk to your child’s healthcare provider about how they can be helped.
There are two main causes for deconditioning:
When the muscles of the body do not get used, they can become weak. If your child sprained an ankle, they may want to avoid walking at all. This can start the process of deconditioning. Work with your child’s healthcare provider to find ways to keep them active.
The main treatment for deconditioning is exercise. Aerobic exercise that works the heart and lungs is best.
Depending on how long your child has been inactive, it is best to work up to a normal level of exercise very slowly. Small changes over time can add up to a lot. Ask your child’s healthcare provider for guidance.
The other things your child should do include eating right, which will lower your child’s risk level for many future problems. Getting their flu shot each year and avoiding secondhand smoke will help lower your child’s risk of needing COPD treatment later.
The good news is that deconditioning is easier to treat in children than in adults.
Deconditioning can often be prevented by staying active. Your child should be getting exercise every day with simple things like walking or with sports. It also helps to limit TV time so they choose activity over sitting still.
For kids who have serious chronic illnesses or have been hurt, it can be very important to find exercises that they can still do. If your child has been badly hurt, such as with a spinal injury, they will need to work with a specialist to prevent deconditioning.