Dear Mayo clinic: I am delighted to say that I am a survivor of breast cancer. It’s been almost six months since I finished the treatment. But I can’t shake fatigue. I have never been a tablecloth, but I feel desperate to close my eyes in the middle of the working day. I don’t feel very lively in my thought and I fall asleep in front of the television at night. I am worried. How can I take this step? I want my life to come back.
ANSWER: Cancer -related fatigue can be painful. It is a persistent and subjective feeling of physical, emotional and cognitive fatigue and / or exhaustion linked to cancer or the treatment of cancer which is not proportional to recent activity. He interferes with daily function and quality of life. The fatigue linked to cancer is different from the usual fatigue that we all live. It is more intense, it is not temporary and it is not relieved by rest alone.
Several factors can contribute to cancer -related fatigue. Cancer itself can lead to fatigue.
Some cancers weaken the muscles, damage the organs or modify hormones, which can cause fatigue.
Sometimes the treatment damages healthy cells in addition to cancer cells. Treatments such as chemotherapy, molecular targeted therapy, hormonal therapies and radiation can cause fatigue.
The side effects of the treatment can cause a blood problem called anemia, pain or stress, which can all add to your fatigue.
If you do not feel well, your activity level can drop, which makes the body deconditioning, causing fatigue. Pre -existing conditions, such as anxiety and depression, can also worsen with cancer and play a role in fatigue.
Cancer -related fatigue can occur at any stage. He could start before treatment, to say more during treatment and sometimes linger even after the end of treatment. Everyone does it differently.
The duration of fatigue linked to cancer can be variable. For some people, it could improve a few weeks after completing the treatment. For others, it may last for months or even more. It affects many cancer patients but does not always get good attention from health professionals. It is important to contact your health care team on any continuous fatigue.
Treatments may include physiotherapy and exercise advice to help increase activity levels, drugs, complementary and integrative medicine approaches such as yoga and tai chi, and psychological and full-consciousness strategies to manage emotional stress and monitor fatigue levels. As each patient is different, a combination of these approaches generally works better.
Although there is no way to prevent cancer -related fatigue, several autosoin strategies can help increase energy levels, including:
– Stay as active as possible, even if it is only light exercise. Start slowly and find a routine.
– Make a balanced diet and remain hydrated. When you have cancer, you may need more protein and nutrients than ever. Drink a lot of liquids and limit caffeine.
– and the implementation of a regular sleep schedule, making short naps if necessary, and find time to relax and reduce stress.
If you need advice or you feel fatigue that does not respond to these terms, ask your primary care team for help. You may also need help from your family and friends to help you with household chores. – Touré Barksdale, MD, physical medicine and rehabilitation, Rochester, Minnesota
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