5 WAYS TO MANAGE CANCER RELATED FATIGUE

Published in

Dignite Care

4 min readNov 11, 2017

Fatigue can be described as a condition of low energy and motivation (either physical, mental or both) where the patient might feel lethargic, tired, worn out, weary or exhausted. Cancer Related Fatigue(CRF) is a highly prevalent and distressing symptom experienced by majority of the patients. It is also associated with psychological stress and financial stress as it limits patients ability to work. The impact can sometimes extend to the caretakers and other family members who have to take time off work and take care of the patient.

The cancer related fatigue might occur even when no physical activity is exerted and might not be relieved by rest or sleep.

Fatigue might even continue after the treatment. So it is always good to be one step ahead and be ready with these simple measures to minimize the problems due to cancer related fatigue.

Given below are five ways to manage Cancer Related Fatigue(CRF)

1. Keep A Fatigue Diary

Keep a weekly diary to note down the time of the day and rate the level of fatigue. There are some warning signs such as whole-body tiredness, or tiredness at some parts of the body. Note down these points along with what you think may be the contributing factors. Given below is a format of a fatigue diary from Macmillan Cancer Support UK.

Macmillan Cancer Care UK — https://www.macmillan.org.uk/documents/cancerinfo/fatiguediary.pdf

2. Sleep Well & Schedule Rest

Balance the time between work and rest. Frequent short rest periods are always good as it helps the body to re-energize faster. Studies show that a healthy body requires 6–8 hours of sleep daily, preferably at night. So during treatment it is advised to take more rest. Go to bed at the same time every night and wake up the same time every morning. Maintaining the fatigue diary as shown earlier will help plan the day much better as per the energy levels.

3. Keep The Body Hydrated

Dehydration limits physical performance both during and after the treatment. If the body fluids are not maintained properly, it leads to decrease in alertness and concentration, which in turn effects the mental activities as well. It most important to consciously hydrate during excess vomiting or diarrhea as the body is loosing fluids at a much faster pace.

4. Follow A Healthy Diet Plan

A person diagnosed with cancer requires around 15 calories per pound of weight. However, in instances of weight loss additional 500 calories per day might be required. Eating smaller meals more frequently will help maintain the body metabolism. Foods such as fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, nuts, beans & seeds supply the much needed vitamins and minerals that help to minimize fatigue.

5. Ensure Physical Movement On A Daily Basis

Regular moderate exercises helps reduce fatigue. Develop an exercise routine as per your requirement in consultation with a fitness expert and your consulting physician. Regular exercise makes the person energetic, active and makes the body more receptive to treatment.

Although fatigue is a common side effect during cancer treatment being well prepared and planning ahead would help minimize the overall impact of fatigue.