Being tired is a very common experience for patients. Intensive treatments, medications, a lower than normal number of circulating red blood cells, disruption of normal rest and sleep habits, or depression can all cause fatigue. It usually takes time to work out ways to live with fatigue.
Your goals
- Establish regular rest and sleep periods.
- Conserve energy.
- Get professional help when needed. Keep your nurse and doctor informed about symptoms of fatigue.
Important signs and symptoms to report to your doctor or nurse
- Dizziness
- Too tired to get out of bed or walk to the bathroom
- Increasing fatigue, weakness, or exhaustion
- Drowsiness or confusion
- Loss of balance
- Shortness of breath
What you can do at home
- Establish regular rest and sleep periods.
- Set up a regular daily schedule for nap and rest times.
- Keep active during the day to sleep better at night.
- Play soft music, put on the TV as a background sound, meditate or pray, practice progressive relaxation, or ask a family member for a back rub to help you sleep.
- Conserve energy.
- Rest between bathing, treatments, and exercise.
- Be active for short periods of time, and rest between them.
- Plan activities such as exercise, visiting, or trips when feeling the most rested and energetic.
- Decide on the most important activities for the day. Be realistic.
- Exercise regularly to help reduce fatigue.
- Eat snacks between meals to keep up energy.
- Allow friends and loved ones to help you. Learn to accept help and delegate errands, responsibilities, and tasks that you may not be able to do. Save your strength for doing things that are important to you.
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