Fatigue and Cancer
This week’s “Here’s To Your Health” broadcasts provides information about chronic fatigue, a condition where your diminishes your capacity to interact in your daily life. There are many issues that can cause fatigue, including too much physical activity, certain medications and possibly mental health issues. The treatment recommended by your physician will vary based on the cause of your fatigue. To learn more about diagnosing the cause of your fatigue issues, or to schedule an appointment with a UAMS Primary Care Physician, please contact UAMS at 501-686-8000.
Transcript
| Fatigue symptoms are common, yet under-recognized, in cancer patients. Fatigue experienced by cancer patients can result from the course of the disease, pre-existing conditions or a lack of exercise, according to experts at UAMS’ Rockefeller Cancer Institute. Fatigue may also result from treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Fatigue from cancer surgery can last for weeks or months and may be caused by anxiety as patients prepare for surgery, as well as the pre-admission testing for surgery. Pain after surgery and the effects of anesthesia may also cause fatigue. Fatigue from chemotherapy affects most patients, lasting for one to two weeks following treatment then decreasing gradually. Fatigue as a result of radiation therapy affects almost all patients and may worsen during the course of treatment, peaking at 4 to 6 weeks. Patients may discuss adjusting therapeutic regimens with their doctors to relieve their fatigue.
T. Glenn Pait, M.D., of UAMS is the host of the program.