HOW TO BEAT FATIGUE IN CANCER TREATMENT?

Fatigue is the most common side effect of cancer therapy with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or biological agents. Fatigue due to cancer treatment usually improves after the treatment is completed, but some degrees of fatigue may persist in the months and years following treatment.   The American experts made recommendations to cope with fatigue in cancer treatment. Cancer treatment fatigue can last longer.

Fatigue can be seen as a result of cancer-induced anemia, endocrine changes (glandular work change), and respiratory distress, and can also be seen in advanced cancer patients receiving cancer treatment. Fatigue associated with cancer treatment is seen in 14-96 percent of patients receiving cancer treatment and 19-82 percent in post-treatment patients. Fatigue is associated with personal perception, just like pain. Patients may describe fatigue as sluggish, weak, lazy, heavy, de-energized, exhausted, and weary. Fatigue due to cancer treatment is different from the fatigue that healthy people feel in daily life. 

Healthy fatigue is a sudden fatigue that relaxes with sleep and rest. Fatigue due to cancer treatment is classified as chronic fatigue because it lasts for a long time, does not fully recover with sleep and rest, and adversely affects body functions. Fatigue has a negative effect on all functions; mood, physical function, work performance, community relations, family care, cognitive performance, school work. The type of fatigue associated with cancer treatment varies according to the schedule and type of treatment. For example, those who receive chemotherapy frequently (regularly every 2 or 3 weeks) experience peak fatigue on days following treatment and less fatigue until further treatment. In radiotherapy, however, fatigue increases as treatment progresses.

Recommendations for fatigue related to cancer treatment

1.      Rest but not much: Plan the day and take short breaks (30 minutes or less). Sleep 7-8 hours every night. If you have sleeping issue then you need to talk to your doctor.

2.      Be as mobile as you can: Regularly exercise at moderate levels, especially walking. Especially walking was found to be a good way to overcome fatigue.

3.      Plan your daily tasks: Keep a diary of how you feel every day. Your doctor or nurse will ask you to rate your fatigue from 0 to 10, how it is, and what makes it better or worse. Keeping a record of these questions makes it easy to answer.

4.      Save your energy: Set your priorities and plan accordingly. Spread your activities on the day and take a break in between. Do not stay at high temperature and stand for long periods of time. Hot shower and energize when the bathrooms are long. Put your favorite things in easy reach.

5.      Get help: Get help from family and friends for jobs that are tired of you. Housework, preparing food, running errands ay Don't force yourself more than you can.

6.      Get support: Join a support group. Sharing your feelings with others can reduce the weight of fatigue. You can contact the doctor or nurse or the relevant institutions and people to reach the support group.

7.      Good nutrition: Much for water and juice. Eat as good as you can. Try to consume at least 2.5 bowls of fruit and vegetables every day. Get enough protein and calories for your body health.

8.      Call your doctor. If you feel that you are too weak to get out of bed, feel confused, lose or fall out of balance, dizziness, waking problems or tiredness, call your doctor.

Final Words

It will take time to feel like yourself, but if you manage to stay active, you can hope you can regain your energy more quickly.