How to Gain Muscle Mass with Lyme Disease

The CDC indicates that nearly 30,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme Disease annually. Lyme Disease is spread by ticks, causing extreme fatigue, muscle soreness, joint pain, swollen glands and other symptoms similar to the flu. The disease can cause long-term muscle and joint problems, even arthritis. So patients with Lyme Disease may have problems keeping muscle mass and regaining it at any stage in the course of the disease.

Recuperate

The first step in gaining or re-gaining muscle mass is to give your body time to rest. The immune system needs rest to recuperate, so don't be too fast to jump back into an exercise routine.

Talk to your doctor

It is important for anyone embarking on an exercise program to stay in touch with a medical professional, and this is especially true of someone recovering from Lyme Disease.

Pain

The Lyme Disease usually causes muscle aches. Exercise tends to cause muscle pain, as well. The two together are likely to create even more pain at first. You should focus on how the exercise will help ease the pain eventually, but you should also be careful how much weight you lift during strength training. Overstraining your muscles will slow your recovery.

Build slowly

Start with just a few repetitions and a light weight that doesn't cause too much stress on the muscles. Then progress gradually to a heavier lift and more reps. This gradual increase is effective for those with arthritis, too, which may be an eventual outcome from Lyme Disease.

Eat well

Be sure your diet includes enough protein, important also for building muscle mass. As you start to use the muscles more, it becomes essential to eat a healthy diet heavy in protein.

Consider a trainer

A certified trainer may help give you guidance about your routine and be able to answer questions you have about techniques and limits. You can find hire one to come to your house or probably find a gym where one works. Be sure to ask your doctor if you have further concerns about discomfort you feel.

Light aerobic exercise and careful stretching may also help you feel better by calming muscle tenderness. Lyme Disease does not have to spell muscle mass problems; time and patience can help patients increase muscle mass.

References

"Reported Cases of Lyme Disease." Centers for Disease Control. Cdc.gov.

"Lyme Disease Fact Sheet." Massachusetts Dept. of Public Health. Mass.gov.

"Benefits of Strength Training." Arthritis Today. Arthritistoday.org.