fatigue when related to keeping up with your medical treatment

You may experience fatigue if cancer treatment damages healthy cells in addition to the cancer cells. Or fatigue might happen as your body works to repair damage caused by treatment. Some treatment side effects — such as anemia, nausea, vomiting, pain, insomnia and changes in mood — also may cause fatigue.

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What is fatigue and how is it treated?

Sep 23, 2021 · There are many causes of fatigue. Fatigue is a common side effect of many cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy , bone marrow transplant, and surgery. Conditions such as anemia, as well as pain, medications, and emotions, can also cause or worsen fatigue.

What does it mean when you have fatigue at the Mayo Clinic?

Dec 02, 2020 · Taking an honest inventory of things that might be responsible for your fatigue is often the first step toward relief. Fatigue may be related to: Alcohol or drug use. Excess physical activity. Jet lag disorder. Lack of physical activity. Medications, such as antihistamines, cough medicines. Not enough sleep.

Is your fatigue related to other conditions?

Dec 16, 2020 · Fatigue is the most common side effect of cancer and cancer treatment. Cancer-related fatigue is different from fatigue that people without cancer experience. Cancer-related fatigue usually lasts longer, can be intense, and may not get better with rest. People describe cancer-related fatigue in many ways, such as: Feeling tired or weak

How can medications help with fatigue?

Nov 17, 2020 · You may experience fatigue if cancer treatment damages healthy cells in addition to the cancer cells. Or fatigue might happen as your body works to repair damage caused by treatment. Some treatment side effects — such as anemia, nausea, vomiting, pain, insomnia and changes in mood — also may cause fatigue. Anemia.

What health issues can cause extreme fatigue?

How do you overcome medical fatigue?

What does medical fatigue feel like?

Can physical fatigue be caused by constant worry?

What mimics chronic fatigue syndrome?

What is Covid fatigue syndrome?

What are the 3 types of fatigue?

What organ causes fatigue?

When should I be worried about fatigue?

Why do I feel tired without doing anything?

What foods get rid of fatigue?

Why do I suddenly get extremely tired?

When to Contact Your Doctor

Some fatigue during cancer treatment is to be expected. But if you find that cancer fatigue is persistent, lasting weeks, and interferes with your...

Coping Strategies: Medical Treatments and Self-Care

Because cancer-related fatigue may be caused by many factors, your doctor may suggest more than one method to reduce and cope with your symptoms. T...

Speak Up About Your Fatigue

Don't assume the fatigue you're experiencing is just part of the cancer experience. If it's frustrating you or affecting your ability to go about y...

What causes fatigue in the body?

Taking an honest inventory of things that might be responsible for your fatigue is often the first step toward relief. Fatigue may be related to: 1 Alcohol or drug use 2 Excess physical activity 3 Jet lag disorder 4 Lack of physical activity 5 Medications, such as antihistamines, cough medicines 6 Not enough sleep 7 Unhealthy eating habits

What does it mean when you are exhausted?

Unrelenting exhaustion may be a sign of a condition or an effect of the drugs or therapies used to treat it, such as: COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) exacerbation — worsening of symptoms. Medications and treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, pain drugs, heart drugs and antidepressants.

How to describe fatigue?

When talking with your healthcare provider, it can be helpful to describe how your fatigue affects your daily activities and routines. For example, saying “I was so tired that I couldn’t work for 3 days” is more helpful than saying “I was really tired.”

What causes fatigue after cancer treatment?

No one is sure what exactly causes cancer-related fatigue, but it may be caused by: Cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and some biologic therapies. Different cancer treatments may have different effects on your energy level. The type and schedule of treatments may affect ...

What to do if you feel anxious?

Tell your healthcare provider if you feel anxious or depressed. They can help you find a social worker or mental health provider who you can talk with.

How to get rid of fatigue from cancer?

Do physical activity and exercise. Do your best to keep doing your current level of activity. Doing some physical activity for 3 to 5 hours a week may help cancer-related fatigue. Walk daily, if your healthcare provider says it’s safe for you.

How does cancer fatigue feel?

People describe cancer-related fatigue in many ways, such as: Feeling tired or weak. Feeling like your arms and legs are heavy.

How to help someone with cancer?

Your family and friends can help you manage stress and fatigue. You may also want to join a support group for people with cancer. Many people also find that spirituality can help with concerns and worries. You can talk to a chaplain at MSK or ask to see a clergy person.

What causes cancer patients to be tired?

Anemia (low level of red blood cells) Shortness of breath. Being less active. Other medical conditions. Cancer-related fatigue may also be caused by emotional challenges, such as: Anxiety. Depression.

What causes fatigue in the body?

Cancer treatment. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, bone marrow transplantation and immunotherapy may all cause fatigue.

What does fatigue mean in cancer?

By Mayo Clinic Staff. Fatigue, usually described as feeling tired, weak or exhausted, affects most people during cancer treatment. Cancer fatigue can result from the side effects of treatment or the cancer itself.

How long does cancer fatigue last?

Your cancer fatigue may occur episodically and last just a short while, or it may last for several months after you complete treatment.

How to help someone with cancer?

Some people with cancer find relief from fatigue through meditation, yoga and other mindfulness practices that encourage relaxation. Massage and acupuncture can be helpful, too. But check with your doctor to make sure these are safe, especially if your blood counts are low or if you're taking blood thinners.

How to maintain energy during a syringe?

Moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, riding a bike and swimming, throughout the week may help you preserve your energy level. Exercise regularly as you start treatment. You'll get in the routine of exercising, and it may even help you prevent fatigue during treatment.

What can a doctor do for depression?

If you're depressed, your doctor might suggest medications that can help reduce the depression, increase appetite and improve your sense of well-being.

How to keep your energy up?

Maintain your energy. Drinking lots of fluids and eating well can help keep your energy reserves up . If nausea and vomiting make it hard to eat, talk to your doctor about these side effects.

What is the best treatment for fatigue?

Treatment of all types of fatigue should include a structured plan for regular physical activity that consists of stretching and aerobic exercise, such as walking. Caffeine and modafinil may be useful for episodic situations requiring alertness. Short naps are proven performance enhancers.

What is fatigue in primary care?

Fatigue, a common presenting symptom in primary care, negatively impacts work performance, family life, and social relationships. The differential diagnosis of fatigue includes lifestyle issues, physical conditions, mental disorders, and treatment side effects. Fatigue can be classified as secondary to other medical conditions, physiologic, ...

What is the difference between sleepiness and fatigue?

Persons who are sleepy are temporarily aroused by activity, whereas fatigue is intensified by activity, at least in the short-term. 4 Patients with sleepiness feel better after a nap, but patients with fatigue report a lack of energy, mental exhaustion, poor muscle endurance, delayed recovery after physical exertion, and nonrestorative sleep. Figure 1 provides a questionnaire to help differentiate between sleepiness and fatigue. 5, 6

How long does physiologic fatigue last?

Physiologic fatigue is an imbalance in the routines of exercise, sleep, diet, or other activity that is not caused by an underlying medical condition and is relieved with rest Chronic fatigue lasts longer than six months and is not relieved with rest. 7.

How long does fatigue last?

Secondary fatigue is caused by an underlying medical condition and may last one month or longer, but it generally lasts less than six months. Physiologic fatigue is an imbalance in the routines of exercise, sleep, diet, or other activity that is not caused by an underlying medical condition and is relieved with rest Chronic fatigue lasts longer than six months and is not relieved with rest. 7

What is physiologic fatigue?

Physiologic fatigue is initiated by inadequate rest, physical effort, or mental strain unrelated to an underlying medical condition. Diminished motivation and boredom also play a role. Physiologic fatigue is most common in adolescents and older persons. In the United States, 24 percent of adults report having fatigue lasting two weeks or longer, and two thirds of these persons cannot identify the cause of their fatigue. 23

How to evaluate fatigue?

Physicians should begin the evaluation of patient presenting with fatigue by identifying common causes. The doses and scheduling of prescribed and over-the-counter medications should be reviewed. Medication classes that are commonly associated with fatigue, although sometimes only in the first week or two of use, include sedative-hypnotics, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, opioids, antihypertensives, antihistamines, and many types of antibiotics Even “nonsedating” antihistamines have an to 15 percent sedation rate. 8 Six to 12 weeks of fatigue is not unusual during recovery from even minor surgery. 9 The quality and quantity of sleep in patients with fatigue should also be evaluated ( Table 1).

What to do when fatigue persists?

When fatigue persists despite your best efforts, talking to a therapist or seeing your health care provider is often a good next step.

How to fight fatigue?

Lifestyle changes and self-care can also help reduce fatigue. Remedies for fighting fatigue on a day-to-day basis include: Practicing yoga. Yoga has been found to reduce fatigue and improve sleep quality in people who have overcome cancer. Getting enough sleep.

How to reduce fatigue from cancer?

Lifestyle changes and self-care can also help reduce fatigue. Remedies for fighting fatigue on a day-to-day basis include: 1 Practicing yoga. Yoga has been found to reduce fatigue and improve sleep quality in people who have overcome cancer. 2 Getting enough sleep. If you can connect your fatigue to a lack of sleep, improving your sleep hygiene may help clear up the fatigue. 3 Maintaining a well-balanced diet. Crash diets can negatively affect sleep, causing fatigue. Eating foods that nourish the body and regulate the mood may lessen fatigue. 4 Making time for exercise. Although being fatigued can make it difficult to find the energy for exercise, physical activity can improve sleep and increase energy. It is recommended that people who have fatigue gradually increase their physical activity level. 5 Taking some time alone. For introverts, spending the bulk of their time with others can be draining, and this may lead to fatigue. People who are energized by alone time may need to spend some time in a solitary activity such as taking a walk, reading, or listening to music to reduce fatigue. 6 Talking to a friend. Extroverts and others who gain energy from spending time with loved ones may find that doing so makes them feel less fatigued. 7 Staying hydrated. Drinking more water while cutting down on alcohol and caffeine consumption may lead to a boost in energy levels.

How to get rid of fatigue from lack of sleep?

Getting enough sleep. If you can connect your fatigue to a lack of sleep, improving your sleep hygiene may help clear up the fatigue.

How to treat CFS?

However, it is often treated with a combination of antidepressants, physical therapy or exercise, and counseling. Some people find their CFS symptoms improve when they take sleep medication, antidepressants, or antianxiety medication, but these have not found to cure the condition. Therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome often addresses ...

How does chronic fatigue syndrome affect mental health?

Therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome often addresses the psychological and mental health effects of the condition and may help people learn to manage it. If the anxiety and/or depression that accompanies CFS also developed independently from it, mental health treatment may help resolve the anxiety or depression and may reduce the overall impact ...

Why do people go to therapy?

In some cases, people may come to therapy to address fatigue itself . Therapists may help clients address parts of their lifestyle that contribute to the fatigue, such as burnout, substance use, and eating habits. The therapeutic approach a mental health professional uses to treat the fatigue will depend on which issue is contributing to the fatigue. For instance, a therapist may help their client learn skills to better manage stress, recommend an addiction recovery program, or work with them to develop a functional self-care routine.

What is chronic fatigue syndrome?

A definition of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) was initially published in 1988. 3 In subsequent years, the term myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) became popular. Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, ME often refers to patients whose condition is thought to have an infectious cause and for whom postexertional malaise is a hallmark symptom. 4

What is the most widely used diagnostic criteria for CFS?

CDC criteria. While several sets of diagnostic criteria for CFS have been developed, the most widely used is that of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), published in 1994 ( TABLE 1 ). 5,6 A diagnosis of CFS is made on the basis of exclusion, subjective clinical interpretation, and patient self-report.

Why did Lauren C come to the clinic?

CASE › Lauren C, age 35, comes to the clinic because of fatigue, which she says started at least 8 months ago and has gotten progressively worse. The patient, a clerical worker, says she manages to do an adequate job but goes home feeling utterly exhausted each night.

Is CFS a psychiatric disorder?

Recent research has made it clear that depression, somatization, and CFS share some biological underpinnings. These include biomarkers for inflammation, cell-mediated immune activation—which may be related to the symptoms of fatigue—autonomic dysfunction, and hyperalgesia. 9 Evidence suggests that up to two-thirds of patients with CFS also meet the criteria for a psychiatric disorder. 10 The most common psychiatric conditions are major depressive disorder (MDD), affecting an estimated 22% to 32% of those with CFS; anxiety disorder, affecting about 20%; and somatization disorder, affecting about 10%—at least double the incidence of the general population. 10

Is fatigue a symptom of organ based illness?

Patients with an organ-based medical illness tend to associate their fatigue with activities that they are unable to complete, while those with fatigue that is not organ-based typically say that they're tired all the time. Fatigue is a common presenting symptom in primary care, accounting for about 5% of adult visits. 1 Defined as a generalized lack of energy, fatigue that persists despite adequate rest or is severe enough to disrupt an individual’s ability to participate in key social and/or occupational activities warrants a thorough investigation.

Is CFS a comorbidity?

CFS and MDD comorbidity. The most widely studied association between CFS and psychiatric disorders involves MDD. Observational studies have found patients with CFS have a lifetime prevalence of MDD of 65%, 12,13 which is higher than that of patients with other chronic diseases. Overlapping symptoms include fatigue, sleep disturbance, poor concentration, and memory problems. However, those with CFS have fewer symptoms related to anhedonia, poor self-esteem, guilt, and suicidal ideation compared with individuals with MDD. 12,13

How to get rid of fatigue?

Try walking or another moderate activity you enjoy as often as you can even if it’s only for 15 minutes. Ease your mind. Mind-body workouts like yoga, tai chi, or qi gong (a Chinese form of moving meditation) can reduce fatigue by helping you focus on relaxation. Go easy on yourself.

How to keep your body from getting tired?

It’s important to bring this up with your doctor, but there are also a few steps you can take to keep your fatigue in check. Get moving. You might not feel like moving a muscle, but exercise can actually boost your energy. (Make sure you get your doctor’s OK first.)

How to keep blood sugar levels stable?

To keep blood sugar levels stable, try snacking on a mix of protein, fat, and fiber like a piece of fruit with cottage cheese or a handful of walnuts. Eat iron-rich foods. Your body needs iron to make red blood cells, which carry oxygen through your body and give you energy.

What to do before bed?

Right before bed is also a good time for activities that relax you, like meditation or journaling. Talk it out. Anxiety, fear, and hopelessness can add to fatigue as well. A therapist can help you let out some of those feelings.

How to get rid of a tired body?

If your appetite is off, try eating 5 to 6 small meals throughout the day instead of three big ones. Cut back on sugar. Sugar y foods spike your energy, but it wears off quickly. In the end, you’re left even more worn out.

How to get more rest?

Sleep well. A good night’s sleep can help you feel more rested. To help make that happen, don’t get into your bed to read or work on your laptop. Turn off music and all screens during bedtime, and limit daytime naps to an hour or less.

How to get alert and mentally refreshed?

Go outside. Whether you sit on the beach, bird watch, or take a walk through a park, simply being outside can help you feel more alert and mentally refreshed.

How to get rid of fatigue in the morning?

Move your body. Take a 45-minute walk every day, rain or shine, Dr. Standish advises. “Sunlight and fresh air, moving your body and talking to a friend reduces fatigue,” she says. “Ask one of your closest friends to come to your house every morning to get you to go for a walk, even if you don’t feel like it.”.

What is the condition where the blood doesn't contain enough oxygen?

Anemia is a condition in which the blood doesn’t contain enough red blood cells to transport all the oxygen the body needs. Chemotherapy drugs can cause anemia by affecting the bone marrow, where red blood cells are produced.

What to do if you have anemia and blood test?

If blood tests indicate anemia, ask your doctor about supplements with iron or medications that can make your body produce more red blood cells. Dr. Standish takes a slightly different approach, recommending daily B-complex vitamins, because they give the body the necessary raw materials to rebuild marrow.

Does Ritalin help with fatigue?

Ritalin ( dexmethylphenidate ), commonly prescribed for hyperactivity, may give you more pep after chemotherapy treatment. In 2009, University of Cincinnati researchers found that patients with a variety of cancers reported much less fatigue after taking Ritalin.

Can anxiety cause fatigue after chemotherapy?

Anxiety was linked to fatigue in chemotherapy patients in a 2008 study published by the American Society of Clinical Oncology. “If you’re under months of stress, your immune system doesn’t function well,” Dr. Standish explains.

Does anti nausea medication slow down digestion?

But new anti-nausea pharmaceuticals have a nutritional drawback, Szafranski says. “The tricky thing is, those [anti-nausea] drugs slow down digestion,” she says. “That can lead to constipation and food staying in the stomach longer than usual,” Szafranski says.

Can cancer patients be fatigued?

Second, 50%-90% of all cancer patients suffer from fatigue, according to a 2011 Brazilian study. Plus, anti- cancer drugs may sap your strength. But you can fight fatigue, say cancer experts. Simple changes in diet and lifestyle can keep your body fortified while you battle the effects of chemotherapy and cancer.