How to Treat Fatigue in Cancer Patients

Cancer patients experience fatigue for many reasons. The tumor can cause fatigue by interfering with blood cell formation or by producing toxins in the body. Medicines to treat side effects like nausea can cause fatigue. Weight loss, metabolic changes, sleep disorders and stress are other contributing factors. Address the underlying cause to treat fatigue with efficacy.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Consider adjusting the dosage of your pain medications. Strong pain medicines, especially narcotics, cause powerful feelings of drowsiness. Your doctor can recommend a lower dose or a non-narcotic pain reliever for mild to moderate pain.
2. Seek treatment for anemia. Treatment for cancer-related anemia includes red blood cell transfusions and medications that make more red blood cells by stimulating the bone marrow.
3. Engage in exercise most days of the week. Although it seems counterintuitive to move when you feel exhausted, studies show that people who remain active during cancer treatment have more energy and a better sense of well being than those who don't.
4. Consult a physical therapist for weakness from muscle or nerve damage. Long periods of inactivity contribute to further muscle wasting and you may need therapy to return to your normal daily activities.
5. Ask the doctor for a referral to a counselor or psychologist. Anxiety and depression are commonly mistaken for fatigue by cancer patients. A therapist can also work with patients to decrease the fear and stress that exacerbate fatigue.
6. Improve your nutrition and hydration status. Dehydration and low protein diets contribute to fatigue. If you experience dehydration or malnourishment from vomiting or diarrhea, ask the doctor if liquid meal replacements are appropriate for you.