Fatigue is the most common adverse symptom among people with cancer and is often one of the most distressing as well. Studies show that up to 60 percent of all patients experience fatigue that adversely affects their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. In one study of more than 1,000 patients, the percentage who complained of fatigue (58 percent) was more than double the percentage who complained about pain (22 percent) or nausea and vomiting (18 percent). It is also now clear that symptoms of fatigue can persist for months, or even years, after cancer treatment has been completed.

So, what can a person with cancer do to relieve their fatigue? To begin, it is critical to speak with your physician about possible medical causes, such as anemia, which is very common among people with cancer and can be effectively treated with medication. Your doctor will also want to evaluate you for other potential contributing medical or psychosocial causes of fatigue. Once these have been properly assessed, there are a number of positive, effective things you can do to help yourself.

First, exercise is one of the simplest and most effective ways of dealing with fatigue. Numerous studies have demonstrated that many kinds of exercise are indeed both safe and effective at alleviating the symptoms of fatigue that are so common among people with cancer. Physical exercise can be undertaken in many forms and to varying degrees. Even low-intensity activities, such as taking a walk or gentle stretching, can help relieve fatigue. For people with more active routines and abilities, moderate-intensity activities, such as swimming, jogging, lifting weights, cycling, or yoga exercises, can be even more effective. Exercise not only relieves symptoms of fatigue, but can help reduce stress and anxiety, and improve overall mood and sleep patterns.

A variety of psychosocial interventions have also been shown to be of benefit in relieving symptoms of fatigue. Like exercise, these interventions come in many different forms, such as support groups, meditation and relaxation programs, and guided imagery exercises. Additional options include hypnosis, individual counseling sessions, stress-management training, behavioral-modification programs, or structured health-education classes. The key point is to proactively address not only the physical aspects of fatigue, but also the mental and emotional challenges that so commonly accompany it.

A third arena in which you can take action to help your fatigue relates to diet and nutrition. An important simple step is to drink plenty of water and stay well hydrated. Next, ensure that you are getting adequate and appropriate nutrition for your age, body type, medical condition, and overall circumstance. Eat more fruit, vegetables, whole grains, salads, and fish, and start cutting back on sugar, alcohol, processed foods, and red meat. Many people experience improvement in their energy level and mood simply by increasing their water intake appropriately (up to 8 glasses of pure water every day) and adopting a healthier diet.

Be sure to discuss your questions about fatigue, and what can be done to alleviate it, with your physician. Visit the Nutrition and the Wellbeing sections of Caring4Cancer to learn more.

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Posted Jul 06 2007, 08:29 AM by DrJeremyGeffen