Will cancer make you tired? This is a question you may be asking yourself if you have been diagnosed with cancer. It may be one of the symptoms of cancer or a side effect of certain medications. In some cases, the fatigue symptoms are related to a lesser ailment, such as a sleep apnea. Cancer, on the other hand, is a condition where abnormal cells start growing in the body and consume the rest of the body’s energy.
Fatigue related to cancer may last for weeks, months, or even years, depending on the type of treatment that was used to treat your cancer. It typically improves after surgery or chemotherapy, but can sometimes remain with the patient for months or years after treatment. However, it can become worse as the cancer grows and spreads, so even a good night’s sleep may not make it go away. Cancer-related fatigue may interfere with your ability to think and function normally.
If you are feeling fatigued or rundown, discuss the cause with your medical team. Your doctor may refer you to a licensed behavioral health care professional who focuses on the psychosocial needs of patients throughout the course of treatment. Your cancer care team may also provide you with a program of physical therapy to improve your general health and help you deal with your fatigue. The goal of this treatment is to minimize fatigue and maximize quality of life while fighting cancer.
Aside from being unable to sleep, cancer can cause fatigue related to anxiety and depression. Trying to cope with these feelings can have a negative effect on your sleep and your overall health. Talking to a trusted friend or relative about your feelings may help you. If you can’t find someone to talk to, ask for help. Ask for support and keep your mind active by thinking of activities that will make you feel better.
Leukaemia makes people feel tired all the time. Aside from causing fatigue, leukaemia also affects the bone marrow, which is crucial to the production of blood cells. White blood cells are responsible for fighting off infection, while red blood cells carry oxygen to the body’s organs and tissues. As a result, cancer can cause a significant reduction in red blood cell production. Eventually, the patient becomes anemic and is extremely fatigued.
Fatigue is a common symptom of cancer, but the scientific literature has only examined its relative importance. In a recent survey, conducted by Vogelzang et al.8, fatigue is an undertreated problem. Nearly 80% of cancer patients reported a general sense of tiredness that interferes with daily activities. Oncologists said fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of cancer. And they noted that it is important to consider it when evaluating the value of cancer treatments.
