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Understanding Fatigue
Reviewed: December 2006
The symptoms of cancer fatigue include not only feeling tired - weak, worn out, drained, "wiped out" - but also leg pain, difficulty climbing stairs or walking short distances, shortness of breath after light activity, and difficulty performing ordinary tasks such as cooking, cleaning, taking a shower or making the bed.
What Causes Cancer-Related Fatigue?
The specific mechanisms involved in the development of cancer- related fatigue are not completely known, however, we do know that it is multifactoral and both physiological and psychological factors play a part.
Sometimes fatigue is related to:
- the cancer treatment itself or medications - either to help treat the cancer or to manage the symptoms, such as pain.
- medical causes such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, breathing problems, diarrhea, fever, infection, nausea/ vomiting, pain, or anemia.
- poor appetite or nutrition.
- worrying, anxiety, or depression.
- too much rest
Cancer-related fatigue symptoms may include the following:
- Feeling bored, sleepy, exhausted
- Feeling a lack of motivation and interest in things that are normally important
- Trouble doing the things that you normally did easily such as trouble climbing stairs or walking short distances
- Trouble concentrating, thinking, speaking or making decisions
- Loss of appetite
- Lack of interest in sex
- Feeling tired even after a good night's sleep and/or not being able to sleep at night
- Exhaustion, apathy, lethargy
- Generalized (whole body) weakness or tiredness
- Sleep abnormalities
- Irritability, impatience, sadness, changes in mood
Understanding Cancer Treatment-Related Fatigue
Facts You Should Know
- Fatigue is the most common side effect of cancer treatment.
- The fatigue experienced by a person with cancer is different from fatigue of everyday life. Cancer treatment-related fatigue can appear suddenly. It can be overwhelming. It is not always relieved by rest. It can last after treatment ends.
- Cancer treatment-related fatigue can affect many aspects of a person's life. It may affect an individual's mood or emotions. It may also affect a person's ability to do usual activities. Fatigue can make it hard to concentrate.
- Fatigue can have many causes: cancer treatment, loss of appetite, lack of exercise, and the cancer itself are all examples of probable causes of fatigue.
- Lack of understanding within a family about cancer fatigue can lead to communication problems, resentment, and feelings of guilt.
- For some people, careful planning of activities, exercise, and managing symptoms and side effects may help to alleviate fatigue.
- Cancer fatigue is real. It should not be ignored. Talk to your oncology nurse about what can be done to preserve quality in your life.
The BC Cancer Agency maintains a database on commonly used unconventional therapies available to cancer patients.
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