Are You Suffering from Cancer-Related Fatigue? Here's How to Manage It
Posted on: 15 November 2019
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If you're undergoing cancer treatment, you may notice that your body feels severely tired most of the time. Cancer-related fatigue is a state of extreme tiredness experienced by patients during and after treatment. There are various reasons why patients experience fatigue. First, the condition itself can take a toll on the body and lead to changes that make you feel tired all the time.
Chemotherapy and other treatments such as radiotherapy and surgery can cause fatigue. Cancer takes a toll on someone's emotional health, and when coupled with the pain, this can lead to severe tiredness. However, if you are experiencing chronic fatigue, you can take the following measures to relieve it and improve your quality of life.
Identify the Cause of Fatigue
Identifying the cause of your fatigue is the first step to combating it. Besides the above treatment-related causes, others include the following:
- Poor diet
- Lack of enough sleep
- Lack of physical activity
- Hormonal changes
- Stress and anxiety
A health professional can help pinpoint the source of the fatigue and help you eliminate it. For example, eating a healthy and balanced diet every day and getting enough sleep are simple practices that can boost your energy levels. You may also consider seeing a therapist who can help improve your emotional health and better handle the treatment.
Plan Your Daily Tasks
Cancer treatment already takes a toll on your body, and the last thing you want to do is waste the little energy you have. This can easily happen if you don't plan your daily tasks. For example, if you have to go a grocery run and you choose a time when there's heavy traffic, you will waste a lot of time on the road, and this will tire you further.
Plan your day for maximum time efficiency. Organise tasks by their priority levels so you don't suffer burnout while trying to accomplish everything at once. Even during your most energetic days, avoid draining your energy. Take breaks in between tasks to rest, take a nap or engage in some self-care. This will go a long way in boosting your physical and emotional health.
Engage in Physical Activity
It's normal to want to lie down or spend your days on the couch when you feel tired. However, doing this will only get you more tired. Engage in some form of physical activity. You don't have to go to the gym. A simple walk around your neighbourhood or some simple yoga sessions at home can do wonders for your body.
Physical activity leads to the production of endorphins or feel-good hormones. These will not only improve your mood but also relieve physical pain. Endorphins also have an analgesic effect that helps you sleep better.
Tackling fatigue during and after cancer treatment is not an easy task. Consider signing up for physiotherapy treatment which includes exercise, heat treatment and massage to relieve bodily pain. Look for a local clinic or office that offers physiotherapy services.