Individuals can experience exercise intolerance because they have underlying conditions that interfere with blood circulation, breathing, metabolism, or energy. Many conditions can cause these problems. Some examples include the below.
Respiratory conditions
Respiratory conditions, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer, can make it more difficult to get enough oxygen due to a reduced ability to breathe. This may cause exercise intolerance in varying degrees, depending on how the severity of symptoms.
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People with respiratory conditions may feel short of breath, lightheaded, or dizzy when they exercise. Strenuous activity may also trigger coughing or asthma symptoms, such as wheezing or tightness in the chest.
Learn more about common lung conditions.
Post-viral syndrome and long COVID
Sometimes, people experience persistent fatigue and weakness for weeks or months following a viral illness. Health experts refer to this as post-viral fatigue or post-viral syndrome.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals have developed a post-viral syndrome following a SARS-CoV-2 infection, which many know as long COVID. Both post-viral syndrome and long COVID can cause exercise intolerance.
Scientists are not sure why post-viral syndrome or long COVID develop, but they may result from the immune system becoming overactive, even after the infection passes. This may also explain why people may experience a lingering sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and body aches.
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Learn more about post-viral syndrome and long COVID.
Myalgic encephalitis or chronic fatigue syndrome
Myalgic encephalitis, or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), causes a persistent lack of energy that does not get better with rest or sleep. For a diagnosis of this condition, symptoms must last for more than 6 months. The condition can prevent people from exercising or taking part in many other activities.
Scientists are not sure why ME/CFS develops, but some individuals find they develop the symptoms after a viral illness or after experiencing significant stress. It may be similar to post-viral syndrome, though not everyone can identify a specific trigger event.
Exercise intolerance and PEM are hallmark symptoms of ME/CFS.
Learn more about ME/CFS, its symptoms, and management.
Diabetes
Diabetes affects how the body reacts to and uses glucose, which gives cells the energy they need to work. A 2015 study states exercise intolerance can occur in people with type 2 diabetes independently of other factors that may hinder exercise, such as cardiovascular disease.
Diabetes-related exercise intolerance occurs due to blood vessels not working as they should, reducing a person’s circulation. This makes it challenging for individuals with type 2 diabetes to exercise, which can be difficult, as it is often part of diabetes management.
Learn more about managing diabetes.
Metabolic myopathies
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People with metabolic myopathies have genetic conditions that impact how their body uses energy. For individuals with these conditions, too much physical activity can cause muscles to break down in a process doctors call rhabdomyolysis, which is painful and can damage the kidneys.
There are many types of metabolic myopathy, but many cause similar symptoms, such as:
- exercise intolerance
- painful muscle cramps
- heart problems
- rust-colored urine
Motor neuron disease
Motor neuron diseases are a group of conditions that occur when the brain and nerves cannot communicate with muscles, causing problems with movement. Over time, this leads to weaker muscles, an inability to move, and increased fatigue levels.
Some examples of motor neuron diseases include multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Early symptoms include weakening muscles, cramps and spasms, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.
There is debate among scientists as to whether any amount of exercise is harmful or beneficial to people with different types of motor neuron disease, according to a 2020 editorial.
Read more about motor neuron disease.
Heart failure
Any heart condition that impairs its ability to pump blood may cause increased difficulty exercising, but exercise intolerance, more specifically, is a key symptom of chronic heart failure. Heart failure occurs when it can no longer pump blood around the body as it should.
According to a 2019 review, exercise intolerance in people with heart failure has links with worse outcomes and a higher risk of cardiac arrest. However, if doctors can identify the mechanisms behind it, they could improve someone’s capacity for exercise.
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