It is an unfortunate fact that fatigue is a part of cancer. Both the disease itself and the treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, can all lead to cancer fatigue.
There are healthy ways to fight cancer fatigue, however, and a few are listed here:
- Try to eat as much as you can. Nausea and vomiting are often a side effect of cancer treatments, but hunger can aggravate cancer fatigue. Eat small, frequent meals. Try to eat as much solid food as you can, but if you can’t, choose healthy food that is easy to digest, such as plain rice, pasta, or soups.Eat when you’re hungry even if it isn’t “time for a meal.” When you are fighting cancer and cancer fatigue, any time is mealtime. If you eat as soon as you feel hungry, you will keep your strength. Remember, too, that hunger is a sign that your stomach is empty, so eating frequently will also keep your stomach full, which can reduce nausea.
- Get some exercise. Even if it is only walking from one room to the other for five minutes at a time, try to do it as often as possible. On the days that you are feeling well (and you will have them), exercise as long as you can without overtiring yourself. Even though the last thing you may feel like doing is exercising, you might be surprised to find that getting up and moving around actually helps fight cancer fatigue.
- Do not use alcoholic beverages to help you overcome cancer fatigue. The truth is that they will do the exact opposite. If you have become addicted to alcohol, please seek help at an alcohol rehab facility as soon as possible. Some facilities are equipped to handle cancer patients, or it may be necessary to suspend your treatments while you undergo rehab.
