Cycling with polyneuropathy

Exercise with polyneuropathy

Exercise is good for everyone, enough exercise keeps you fit longer and you are less likely to get tired. For people with polyneuropathy it is therefore important to keep exercising, as much as possible. What kind of exercise is still possible differs from person to person. Take your condition into account and respect your own limits. It is wise to always consult with your specialist or doctor.

Cycling with polyneuropathy on an adapted bicycle

Staying active with polyneuropathy by cycling has several advantages. For example, it provides relaxation and reduces the risk of other diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and obesity. Want to know more benefits why cycling is so healthy? Then read the article '10 reasons why cycling is healthy'.

What is polyneuropathy?

Polyneuropathy is a muscle disease. With polyneuropathy, the ends of the nerves in arms and legs are affected. Polyneuropathy means that the nerves in multiple (poly = many) places in the body are affected. Muscles and sensation then no longer function as they should. Complaints arising from polyneuropathy may include: numbness, tingling, changed sensation, pain, balance disorders, cramps, thinning of muscles and weakness. (Source: Muscular diseases Netherlands - Spierziekten Nederland)

Types of polyneuropathy

• Demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIPD), in which the insulating sheath of the nerves in arms and legs become damaged. The nerves can no longer properly transmit signals from the brain to the muscles and from the skin to the brain. The consequences are symptoms of paralysis in arms and legs.
• Guillain-Barré syndrome, is a disorder of the nerves outside the central nervous system: the motor nerves that run from the spinal cord to the muscles and the sensory nerves that go from the skin, joints and muscles to the spinal cord. People can be completely paralyzed from one moment to the next as a result.
• Miller Fisher-syndrome, is a rare variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome in which there is usually a combination of double vision, balance problems when walking and the absence of tendon reflexes.
• Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN), is a muscle disease more common among men than women. The muscles slowly lose their strength, causing people to become increasingly limited. The muscles also become thinner. 
• MGUS-polyneuropathy, is a chronic disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the nerves, instead of harmful bacteria and viruses.  
• CIAP, is a condition of the nerves that leads to a reduction or change in sensation and a failure or inadequate functioning of muscles. The condition is chronic and one deteriorates slowly.

(Source: Muscular diseases Netherlands - Spierziekten Nederland)