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Fatigue is a common manifestation of many diseases, including those with breast cancer. This symptom makes patients not want to work or even play activities, over time it also affects overall health.
1. Causes of fatigue in breast cancer patients
Breast cancer consequences can cause many different problems such as loss of appetite, fatigue, weight loss, osteoporosis... In which, fatigue is a common symptom of breast cancer and this is one of them. What are the most common side effects of breast cancer treatment? In fact, some studies suggest that between 62 and 85 percent of people undergoing cancer treatment report cancer fatigue.
Studies show that women with breast cancer may experience fatigue for the first 6 months after they are diagnosed, because that's when treatment is often the most stressful. But fatigue can often persist for months after treatment. Signs of fatigue in breast cancer patients include:
People with fatigue often feel fatigue that does not feel better even with adequate rest and sleep. This type of fatigue often has a profound effect on physical and mental health. Patients feel lack of energy, need more sleep. Decreased libido, inability to perform normal daily activities. Feeling tired even after sleeping and having trouble thinking or concentrating, finding words when talking. Possible causes of cancer fatigue are breast cancer treatments and breast cancer itself, such as chemotherapy and hormone therapy, which can affect hormone levels in the body. body. This can lead to inflammation throughout the body as well as other side effects, all of which can contribute to fatigue.
2. How to manage fatigue in breast cancer patients
When cancer causes fatigue, treatment can be difficult, you should talk to your doctor to come up with a plan to deal with fatigue. The following tips can help manage fatigue in breast cancer patients:
2.1. Engage in exercise Exercising can be very hard on your mind when you're already feeling exhausted. Physical activity is one of the best ways to promote a better mood and help reduce fatigue over time.
The American Cancer Society recommends that people who have been diagnosed with cancer start slowly and increase activity over time. The goal is to exercise gradually until you reach at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of intense activity per week.
In a systematic review and meta-analysis, researchers found that regular exercise significantly improved cancer fatigue. In another small study that identified fatigue in breast cancer patients, women with this condition were put through a 4-week exercise rehabilitation program and doctors The study found that this patient fatigue level decreased significantly after the program ended.
You can practice from exercises like walking, cycling or yoga...
2.2. Connect with your community for support when you need it. Stress and anxiety about your medical condition can contribute to fatigue. Finding support from the community is essential in managing mental health, allowing you to communicate with others who are going through the same thing as you. Talking to the community helps you think more positively, reducing stress and anxiety. This helps to reduce fatigue.
2.3. Breaking down things to do Tackling all the things at once that require you to be active all at once can be more difficult when you feel tired Instead, try to break them down into small chunks easier, easier to manage, easier to implement. For example, cleaning the house or cooking. Breaking things down can help you gain more control over yourself, which in turn helps your energy last throughout the day.
2.4. Acupuncture Acupuncture is a treatment method of traditional medicine, which has been used in treatment for thousands of years. Acupuncturists use small needles to stimulate acupoints, and it often coincides with areas of high nerve content on the surface of the skin. Research shows that acupuncture can help with a number of cancer-related symptoms, including fatigue, pain, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and nausea.
You should talk to your doctor first to make sure acupuncture is safe for you and make sure it's only done by a certified and licensed acupuncturist.
2.5. Relaxation techniques Relaxation techniques including yoga and meditation are practices that help direct attention to what is happening in the present moment. These ways can help you control your emotions, becoming less responsive to stressful situations.
In a systematic review and meta-analysis, researchers found that people with breast cancer who participated in relaxation-based stress reduction interventions reported reduced fatigue. They also experienced short-term relief from depression and stress.
You can take yoga classes at the gym. Remember to look for gentle yoga classes, preferably more advanced exercises. You can also find many yoga videos online, or through various apps, to do the practice at home.
Like yoga you can also do it at home or through a tutorial.
Manage other side effects during treatment: Other side effects of breast cancer treatment can also contribute to your fatigue. For example, as a side effect of nausea and vomiting, you often cannot eat enough food to sustain energy. Anemia is a possible side effect of chemotherapy and leads to fatigue. Ask your doctor what treatments are available to manage the side effects of breast cancer therapy, so you can reduce fatigue caused by these side effects. Eat a well-balanced diet: Eating well is important for everyone, including someone being treated for breast cancer. There is no specific diet recommended for people with breast cancer, as nutritional needs vary from individual to individual. In general, when following your diet you should aim for foods rich in nutrients, such as: Fruits and vegetables, varieties, whole grains, legumes, lean protein sources. It is also important that you drink enough water, especially while on treatment, which helps reduce some of the side effects. Alternatively, if you're having trouble formulating a diet, you might also consider seeing a dietitian for a meal plan for someone with cancer. Cancer causes fatigue can be caused by the disease itself, it is also often due to treatment measures, psychological ... If fatigue is having a big impact on mental and physical health your health, in addition to using the above measures and sometimes need help from family, friends or doctors.
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Reference source: healthline
