Fatigue is commonly described as feeling weak and tired. It is a common occurrence for patients undergoing cancer treatment. It can be caused by the effects of treatment or cancer itself.
Cancer Fatigue is Caused by a Variety of Causes
Cancer fatigue can be caused by numerous reasons, and the causes that cause the symptoms of cancer may be different than those of someone else. But, the possible contributory elements include:
Cancer you have: Your cancer can cause changes in your body. This can result in fatigue, for instance, certain cancers release cytokines, proteins that are believed to cause fatigue. Other cancers can also increase your body’s demand for energy as well as weaken your muscles resulting in damage to certain organs it can be your liver or lungs and this ends up in fatigue.
Treatment for Cancer: Chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery, bone marrow transplantation can all result in fatigue. It is possible to experience fatigue when cancer treatment causes damage to healthy cells as well as tumor cells. The fatigue could occur as your body attempts to repair the harm caused by treatments.
Some side effects of treatment like nausea, vomiting, as well as insomnia, also cause fatigue.
Anemia: You might develop anemia when your treatment damages excessive amounts of normal red blood cells. Anemia can also occur if your cancer is spreading to the bone marrow and cause problems with the production of blood cells or cause loss of blood.
The pain: If you are experiencing severe chronic pain, you will be less active and feel depressed. All of which can contribute the fatigue.
Feelings: Stress, Anxiety, or depression are some of the common diseases that are triggered by your cancer diagnosis and may also result in fatigue.
Sleep Deprivation: If you’re sleeping less during the night, or if you’re constantly interrupted in your sleep you may feel tired.
A Poor Diet: To function efficiently your body requires the energy that a nutritious diet can provide. If you are suffering from the disease. Your body might require more nutrients than normal. It can be challenging to absorb enough nutrients if adverse effects like vomiting and nausea can make it difficult to consume food.
Medicines: Certain medications like painkillers can trigger fatigue.
A Lack of Exercise: If you’re used to working out and slowing down, it may cause you to feel exhausted.
Hormonal Changes: Hormone therapy is a popular cancer treatment that can cause changes in the body’s hormone levels which could cause significant fatigue. The changes in hormones can also happen in the course of other treatments for cancer.
If you need to speak with your Doctor, do So.
A little fatigue in the course of treatment for cancer is normal. If however, you notice that cancer fatigue persists that lasts for weeks and hinders your ability of you to complete your daily tasks. So, inform your doctor and consult about that.
Coping Strategies: Medical Treatment and Self-care
Since fatigue related to cancer can be caused by various causes, your doctor might recommend more than one approach to ease and manage the symptoms. They could be self-care strategies or, in certain instances medication or medical procedures can also be applicable.
Medical Interventions:
There are medications available to address the root cause of fatigue If, for instance, your fatigue is caused by blood loss, transfusions could also be an assist. Drugs that stimulate the bone marrow to create larger amounts of red blood cells could be a different option.
If you’re suffering from a disease such as depression then your doctor may recommend medications in order to decrease depression, and boost your overall well-being.
Enhancing your sleep quality will help reduce fatigue sometimes, medication is effective in aiding you to sleep.
A proper pain management plan can be a big help in reducing fatigue, however certain medications for pain can cause fatigue to increase. So, work with your physician to find the proper level of balance.
Enhancing medications could be a viable option in certain circumstances. Don’t think that your fatigue is only a part of your cancer process. If it’s causing you to stress or hindering your ability to function in your daily life then it’s time to speak to your physician.
Never compromise on your health it can sometimes be deadly so take precautionary measures and consult your doctor on regular basis to cancer fatigue and live a healthy life.
