www.cancer.gov 23 Fatigue What it is and why it occurs Fatigue from chemotherapy can range from a mild to extreme feeling of being tired. Many people describe fatigue as feeling weak, weary, worn out, heavy, or slow. Resting does not always help. Many people say they feel fatigue during chemotherapy and even for weeks or months after treatment is over. Fatigue can be caused by the type of chemotherapy, the effort of making frequent visits to the doctor, or feelings such as stress, anxiety, and depression. If you receive radiation therapy along with chemotherapy, your fatigue may be more severe. Fatigue can also be caused by: Î anemia (see page 14) Î pain (see page 39) Î medications Î appetite changes (see page 16) Î trouble sleeping Î lack of activity Î trouble breathing Î infection (see page 27) Î doing too much at one time Î other medical problems Fatigue can happen all at once or little by little. People feel fatigue in different ways. You may feel more or less fatigue than someone else who gets the same type of chemotherapy. Ways to manage fatigue Relax. You might want to try meditation, prayer, yoga, guided imagery, visualization, or other ways to relax and decrease stress. For ideas on relaxation exercises, see Learning to Relax at www.cancer.gov/ about-cancer/coping/feelings/relaxation. Eat and drink well. Often, this means five to six small meals and snacks a day rather than three large meals. Keep foods around that are easy to fix, such as canned soups, healthy frozen meals, yogurt, and cottage cheese. Drink plenty of fluids each day.
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