Fatigue and Cancer Treatment

We've probably all experienced the effect that a poor diet can have on our bodies and minds. We have stayed up late preparing for the big test drinking sodas and eating pizza. We have skipped breakfast when we're running late and lunch while on a deadline at work. We may have met the deadline and passed the test, but we probably didn't feel well for a couple of days afterward. Sacrifices like this are common among healthy people who don't think twice about sacrificing some level of health in order to get things done. But for someone going through cancer treatment, maintaining proper nutrition and getting enough rest becomes more than something they can put off on a whim.

Cancer treatment can affect different people in very different ways, but one of the most common side-effects is fatigue. Some patients will deal with it intermittently as they go through treatment - many chemotheraphy patients take to their beds for several days after every bi-weekly treatment. Others may feel it build and get harder to manage the longer their treatment lasts. This is a common concern among radiation patients. Their 5-7 week regimen may not seem like much at first, with the actual treatment taking less time than it took the patient to drive to the clinic, but radiation is very taxing on a body. The buildup of that exposure can lead to a variety of side-effects.

So, how do patients and their caregivers prepare for and manage the fatigue that accompanies cancer treatment? CureToday.com recently published a great article on the subject and offered the following tips:

• Conserve energy. Organize your day so you have enough energy to do what’s most important. Spread chores throughout the week and make rest part of your daily routine. This seems to be the hardest thing for many people who equate napping with being lazy. Just make sure they're short, too much sleep can actually backfire and contribute to more fatigue and the additional challenge of insomnia.

Don't forget to ask for help. If mowing the lawn, doing laundry or running errands are too tiring, enlist friends and family to help. (Most of them really want to, but don't know what to offer!) If a trip to the grocery store is necessary, most stores offer motorized carts for customers.

• Get moving. This may not make sense, but it's true that regular physical activity can help relieve symptoms of fatigue. Experts claim that patients can increase their energy by exercising at a slow and steady pace several times a week. Be sure to increase activity levels slowly (even after treatment has ended) and include your daily to-do list as part of your activity plan.

• Rearrange your environment. Simply picking up or putting away the things you use most can add up to sap your energy. So place things you use often within easy reach, whether it’s your favorite cooking pot or the shampoo in the shower.

• Improve sleep quality. Go to bed and get up at about the same time every day, including weekends. Don’t exercise in the evening and avoid caffeinated drinks and foods. You may also consider creating a relaxing bedtime ritual that starts one hour before bedtime—and that means turning off the television. Listen to calming music or take a bath instead. If you're a caregiver, offer to give your patient a foot massage and help manage the room temperature to induce sleep. Do not drink alcohol or eat immediately before going to bed.

• Screen for and treat the possible underlying cause. Sometimes fatigue serves as a clue to another medical problem. If cancer treatment depletes a patient’s red blood cell count, for instance, the body’s tissues don’t get enough oxygen and fatigue sets in. Treat the anemia, and you’ll start to get your energy back. If blood is being drawn at each visit to the oncologist, keep tabs on what the blood counts are and ask what you can do to help build your blood iron level. Many foods offer a good serving of iron, and supplements are available as well (although food sources are usually easier on the digestive tract). Other side effects of treatment that can lead to fatigue include pain, depression, anxiety and nausea.

For local patients in Northwest Arkansas, our trained oncology social workers are available to help you manage the challenges you encounter during treatment and will be happy to talk to you about any depression or anxiety you may be experiencing. They can also provide materials from our resource library that may help you find foods that can boost your energy or helpful hints for managing your stresses. Contact us for more information or to set up a confidential visit with a social worker between 8am and 5pm, Monday - Friday at 479-361-5847.