Fatigue, caused by cancer treatment
Description fatigue from cancer treatment
Tired of cancer treatment – strong sense of weakness and fatigue during cancer treatment. Fatigue can last for weeks or even years.
Causes of Fatigue from cancer treatment
This condition causes the side effects of cancer and its treatment by. If the body is already weakened by cancer after treatment, then deal with the side effects can be even more difficult.
Fatigue can exacerbate certain diseases, caused by cancer, or introduced in the course of its treatment:
- Anemia – due to Chemotherapy, which can kill the red blood cells and influences the hemopoietic bone marrow cells;
- Malnutrition and dehydration – due to loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting;
- Lack of oxygen – due to fewer red blood cells, which carry oxygen;
- Hormonal changes – for hormone replacement therapy, medication side effects, or a type of cancer, such as thyroid cancer;
- Other factors:
- Lack of sleep;
- Depression;
- Stress;
- Pain;
- Side effects of drugs taken.
Risk factors of fatigue from cancer treatment
Factors, which increase the probability of fatigue from cancer treatment:
- Current cancer treatments (eg, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, treatment with biological response modifiers);
- The deterioration of the health of cancer;
- Availability disorders, influencing health status (eg, poor appetite, labored breathing);
- The presence of depression in the past or family members with depression.
Symptoms of fatigue from cancer treatment
These symptoms, but fatigue from cancer, They may be caused by other disorders. If you experience any of them, consult a doctor.
- Severe fatigue, that does not go after sleep or long rest;
- The unwillingness or inability to perform simple tasks, like cooking, Bed linen or opening doors;
- Trouble concentrating and remembering;
- Dizziness;
- Heaviness of arms and legs;
- Bad Balance;
- Breathlessness;
- Impatience, irritability.
Diagnosis of fatigue from cancer treatment
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, a physical exam. Maybe, will have to answer the following questions::
- It was worsening symptoms? When symptoms appear and how long they last?
- What drugs you are taking?
- How often and how long you sleep?
- What you eat?
- What makes you feel better or worse?
- Have you had depression?
- As the cancer has affected your work and financial status?
The doctor may also use a questionnaire to assess the degree of fatigue.
Treatment of fatigue from cancer treatment
Treatment options include the following:
Medications
Your doctor may prescribe:
- Medicines for the treatment of the underlying disease (such as anemia);
- Antidepressants;
- Stimulants.
Home Care
Your doctor may recommend the following:
- Exercises:
- Engage 15-30 minutes per day;
- It is necessary to develop an optimal plan for the exercises, on the basis of physical features;
- It is necessary to determine the time of day, when you feel most relaxed;
- Get enough sleep and rest:
- Relax before bedtime, listening to music or reading a book;
- During the day, try to sleep for less than one hour;
- Sleep at least eight hours per day;
- Eat a healthy diet.
Preventing fatigue of cancer treatment
Tired of treating cancer is one of the most common side effects of cancer. Since there are many causes of cancer fatigue, it is often impossible to prevent, but there are ways to reduce it. Talk about it with your doctor, your family and friends. They help you cope with this condition.