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Cancer is one of the faster growing illnesses across the globe. If not treated in time, cancer can be fatal. Even when the illness is detected early, the treatment itself can be very painful, creating a high stress environment for the patient. One of the most prominent side effects of cancer treatment is the fatigue that a person feels. Patients often feel high levels of fatigue, making them feel tired all the time.

Not being able to do normal physical work without getting breathless, taking longer to recover their strength every time they walk a few steps and not being able to perform certain daily tasks all together can affect a cancer patient’s lifestyle immeasurably. High levels of fatigue can also often lead to depression and negativity that can in turn slow down recovery greatly.

People are often advised to rest as much as possible during the day and get plenty of sleep at night in order to cope with the fatigue. However, patients often find that they feel tired no matter how well they have slept or how much rest they have had. They often try out alternative therapies like meditation and yoga to boost their energy levels that can be quite helpful.

Cancer related fatigue often lasts even when the treatment is over, a phenomenon that has perplexed researchers. It is important to understand that there is no fixed time frame for getting over fatigue. It is important that those around cancer patients understand this fact and are at their supportive best during this phase. Emotional support like counseling can also be of great help to boost the morale of cancer patients suffering from fatigue.

One of the toughest parts of cancer treatment is the extreme fatigue that the patient has to go through. The feeling of being very tired all the time can have a great negative effect on the patient’s day to day life and often leads to high levels of depression as well. It is important to understand that fatigue is just a phase that can last for a varied duration of time, sometimes extending beyond the treatment itself. In order recover faster, cancer patients need to be able to cope with fatigue. Here are some ideas on how they can do this:

1. Speak to your doctor or counselor and find out about the side-effects of the medication you will be taking and how they will affect your level of energy.
2. Pain is a contributing factor to fatigue so find out how you can bring down the level of pain you suffer.
3. Make small changes in your daily routine in order to conserve energy. Try not to do chores while standing, for example, use a high stool with wheels when in the kitchen. This way you can chop vegetables, cook and wash dishes without having to stand all the time.
4. Learn relaxation exercises and techniques like meditation and yoga that will help you relax as well as boost your stamina and energy levels.
5. Whenever you feel that you have exerted yourself, take a small break or nap to revive your energy levels. Try not to go for too long without taking rest as this will increase your fatigue.
6. Don’t hesitate to ask people to help you out with things, that’s what family and friends are for!