Fatigue, also known as fatigue, is a common symptom of advanced cancers. This form of fatigue significantly affects the daily routine of patients, bringing many limitations in daily activities.
Fatigue, also known as fatigability, manifests as a persistent daily lack of energy – unusual or excessive tiredness throughout the body that is not relieved by sleep. This condition can be acute, lasting one month or less, or chronic, lasting from one month to six months or more.
Fatigue can have a profound negative impact on a person’s ability to function and, by implication, on their quality of life.
What does cancer fatigue feel like?
The various forms of cancer and associated treatment options can trigger a state of fatigue as the body’s immune system engages in an intense battle against the disease.
Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and surgery used in the treatment of cancer can cause fatigue and exhaustion. Cancer and its treatment can also increase vulnerability to certain conditions, which in turn can contribute to the development of fatigue:
Anemia: following treatment, anemia may occur as a result of the decrease in the number of blood cells. This reduction in blood cells affects the ability to carry oxygen through the blood (hemoglobin). About 7 out of 10 patients experience anemia while receiving chemotherapy.
Combined therapy: people undergoing multiple treatments at the same time or one after the other may be more likely to experience exhaustion and fatigue.
The tumor-induced “hypermetabolic” state: in the competition for nutrients, tumor cells can hoard resources, which can negatively affect the growth and metabolism of normal cells. As a result, weight loss, decreased appetite and fatigue are common symptoms observed.
Decreased nutrient intake because of the side effects of the treatments (such as nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, changes in taste, heartburn and diarrhoea).
Hypothyroidism: if the thyroid gland works slowly, the metabolism can slow down, which leads to insufficient burning of food and an inadequate supply of energy for the body. This condition is common but can also occur as a result of radiotherapy to the lymph nodes in the neck.
Medicines used to treat side effects such as nausea, dehydration, pain, depression, anxiety and seizures can contribute to fatigue.
pain: Research shows that chronic, severe pain increases fatigue.
Daily routine: During treatments, many people want to maintain their normal routine and activities. However, you may need to adjust your routine to conserve energy and cope better with treatment.
Stress can make fatigue worse: stress during treatment can be varied, covering a wide range of aspects, from managing the illness and uncertainties, to worrying about carrying out daily tasks or meeting the expectations of those around you.
Depression and fatigue: it is often difficult to determine the order in which symptoms appear. One way to clarify this situation is to explore feelings of depression. Do you feel constantly depressed? Did you have episodes of depression before your cancer diagnosis? Do you experience feelings of worthlessness or discouragement? If the answers to these questions are yes, you may need treatment for depression.
Insomnia: Inability to sleep eight hours a night will cause both mental and physical fatigue, according to doctorulzilei.ro.
Other symptoms that should give you something to think about
Be aware of the warning signs of impending cancer fatigue, which may include: tired eyes, tired legs, general fatigue, stiff shoulders, low or no energy, difficulty concentrating, weakness or restlessness, feelings of boredom or lack of motivation, excessive sleepiness, increased irritability, nervousness, anxiety or restlessness. Watch out for these signs and see your doctor if you notice any of them.
2023-08-04 14:10:56
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