How to overcome fatigue caused by cancer treatment

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Dr. Nong Ngoc Son - Oncology Center - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.
During cancer treatment, patients often experience fatigue, either from the cancer itself or from the side effects of treatment. Meanwhile, psychological factors, excitement play a very important role for you to overcome this disease. So how to get rid of these fatigue?

1. What causes fatigue during cancer treatment?

The cause of cancer-related fatigue is still unclear. However, the following are some of the more common conditions that can be caused:
As a result of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, or surgery. Usually, this feeling of fatigue goes away after the treatment is over. However, in some cases this condition will persist. Anemia can also cause a lingering feeling of fatigue. If your anemia is very severe, you may need a blood transfusion to help increase blood flow to your body. Poor diet, lack of nutrients due to insufficient energy in the diet. In addition, cancer or cancer treatment drugs also cause a loss of appetite, a bitter taste in the mouth, or loss of appetite. Other symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, or fluid accumulation can also be a cause of fatigue.

2. How will feeling tired "harm" you?

Feeling tired can affect all your activities. Here are a few symptoms of fatigue you may experience:
Difficulty doing very small, even everyday tasks like getting dressed, showering or going to the bathroom. Feeling exhausted, as if you want to stay in bed all day. Feeling powerless to do anything. Loss of concentration, difficulty thinking, talking, communicating as well as deciding something. It is very difficult to remember anything. Feeling short of breath even after very gentle activity. Dizziness or heaviness in the head. Difficulty sleeping. No longer interested in marital relationship. Feeling mushy, more easily upset than usual.

3. Magical book “Diary of feeling tired”

To make it easier to talk to your doctor about feeling tired, and to help you manage this feeling yourself, keep a "FIRE DIRECTION" journal. Every day, morning or noon, you should self-assess your fatigue with a score of 1 to 6 and record it in your diary.
No feeling of fatigue. Feeling of slight fatigue - able to do normal tasks. Fatigue occurs occasionally - can do most tasks normally. Feeling moderately tired – can do some tasks, be active but need to rest between tasks. Severe feeling of fatigue – difficulty walking or doing daily activities, housework such as cooking or shopping. Feeling very tired – needing to rest or sleep all day.
With a diary, cancer patients will know when is the best time to spend with themselves, family or favorite things
With this diary, you will know when it is time to feel good. feel best for yourself, your family, or the things you love. In addition, you also know what is taking a lot of your energy to arrange change. Especially, if your doctor is giving you medication to treat fatigue, a diary is useful information for monitoring the effectiveness of the medication, and when your fatigue score is consistently high, that's when you need it. re-examination immediately.
Besides, the diary is also a place to help you record the effectiveness of trying each of the methods below.

4. Try some ways to help you get better when you feel tired

A good night's sleep is important to dispel feelings of fatigue during cancer treatment. Therefore, you should try to maintain sleep as usual. Here are a few tips to help you sleep better:
Try to sleep on time and form a habit. Depending on the individual, sleep should be 7 to 8 hours per night or as needed. Minimize light and noise in your bedroom. Keep a journal to record any thoughts that keep you from sleeping. Exercising or practicing nutrition regularly every day both helps to reduce the feeling of fatigue and makes it easier for you to sleep better. , you can have a snack or drink warm water before going to bed. Avoid drinking stimulant drinks such as coffee or cigarettes near bedtime. You can also try exercises to help calm your mind like meditation, recalling a piece of music, rereading the alphabet, or brainstorming a letter to your loved one.... Besides getting some sleep. delicious, carefully planning daily tasks is also a way to help reduce feelings of fatigue.
Allocate time for tasks for the whole week and if you get stuck, don't be afraid to ask others for help. Instead of going to the supermarket or market, you can take advantage of online shopping or ask relatives to help you shop. Cook simple dishes and divide them into several meals throughout the day. Shower in the tub instead of the shower and wear clothes that are easy to change. Listen to the radio or books instead of watching TV If you have young children at home, play with them games that don't require much movement such as crosswords, quizzes, etc. Avoid driving when you feel tired. because it may cause an accident. Finally, if your feeling of fatigue persists or worsens, your doctor can help find other causes of fatigue and help you treat it.
Any questions about feeling tired during cancer treatment, please come directly to the hospital or book an appointment on the website for service.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

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