For those living with cancer, fatigue is often a constant and debilitating presence that can seriously affect their quality of life. I am not referring to the kind of fatigue that many of us experience at about 3:30 p.m. on a tough workday, the kind that a short nap will cure. Instead, I am talking about the kind of fatigue that is always there — the kind that is in your bones and almost feels as though it is in your soul.
When a person has cancer, chemotherapy and radiation often only serve to make their fatigue even worse. This fatigue makes cancer sufferers feel exhausted and under the weather, which is problematic, as cancer is a disease that requires the sufferer to fight in order to ward it off.
There are so many different reasons as to why someone who is living with cancer, and undergoing treatments, might suddenly find themselves completely void of energy.
This fatigue can be caused by treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, while other causes could be related to side effects of cancer and its treatment, such as anemia or loss of appetite.
Stress and pain are fatiguing enough if you are healthy, but stress and pain are aggravated tenfold when you are faced with an illness such as cancer.
Oftentimes, when faced with the news that they have cancer, many people try to continue carrying on as they did before the diagnosis. But this often only serves to aggravate side effects of cancer, such as stress and fatigue, even further. Sufferers should take the time to heal. Once the cancer is in remission, then cancer survivors should return to their previous lifestyle prior to diagnosis.
Cancer and its treatment options take a toll on the body and the mind, there us no doubt about it. Adequate rest and care will help to alleviate some of the side effects, such as fatigue. Another way to reduce the stress and fatigue related to cancer is through exercise. At times, a lack of energy can be attributed to a lack of exercise. Staying active can actually make you feel more energized.
When you exercise, you expunge energy. This, in turn, helps you sleep better, which, in turn, allows you to feel more refreshed upon waking.
Now, I am not suggesting that you run a marathon in order to battle the fatigue caused by cancer, but some light exercises such as yoga, Pilates, or a daily walking routine can help you feel more energetic. The exercise does not have to be heavy or strenuous.
Not to mention, exercise helps to alleviate the symptoms of stress and depression, which can actually feed into fatigue. In addition, exercise helps to boost the immune system, thereby helping your body stay in top form.
Start by speaking to your doctor about exercise and they will help you figure out what your best course of action will be. Start slow and then build up your routine, as your body gets used to it. Never overdo it — you should never be in extreme pain when you are done with your routine.
Make sure that you follow a schedule so that your body can adjust to the new routine. For example, walk Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Make it a habit. Fit yoga in on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Figure out what works for you and what helps you to alleviate some of your fatigue. I know it can be difficult to muster up the energy to get out there and move, but it will make you feel much more energetic before you know it.
Source: http://my.webmd.com/content/article/74/89086.htm
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Tags: chemotherapy, exercise
