How To Manage Fatigue While Battling Breast Cancer
Photo by Jonathan Borba under Unsplash License
How to Manage Fatigue While Battling Breast Cancer
It’s not unusual for a breast cancer patient to experience fatigue because that’s a common side effect of breast cancer treatment. In case you’re wondering, fatigue that’s cancer-related is way different from the normal feeling of being tired. When people who don’t have cancer feel tired, all they need to do to feel refreshed and energized is to get enough sleep.
On the other hand, those who have cancer-related fatigue still experience the feeling of being tired, exhausted, weak or completely wiped out even after they awake from sleep. A number of factors contribute to their feelings of fatigue. They include the side effects of treatment that cause poor nutrition, anemia, and dehydration. Cancer-related fatigue is also due to depression, anxiety, lack of exercise, hormonal changes, medications, pain, and sleeping problems.
The good news is that cancer-related fatigue can be managed. Breast Cancer Car Donations shares tips on how you or any other patient can manage fatigue while battling breast cancer. Check these out.
1. Keep a daily routine.
Your body naturally likes routine. It craves for this especially when it’s going through cancer treatment. It will make a huge difference if you set up a routine for your regular activities during the day and establish a healthy sleep routine by going to bed and getting up at regular times.
2. Stay hydrated.
When you keep yourself hydrated, you’ll be able to maintain your energy. You can ask your doctor how much water you should drink. You can also take non-alcoholic or decaffeinated fluids such as juice, tea, and milk.
As much as possible, steer clear from coffee or anything with caffeine since this contributes to dehydration. If hydrating yourself becomes challenging because you constantly feel nauseated or you vomit from time to time, talk to your doctor as soon as possible.
3. Prioritize your activities.
Make it a point to save your strength and energy for the activities that are most important to you. These activities could be anything—from a job to a hobby.
It’s best to keep track of the times during the day when you feel that you’re in your best condition. You can then plan your activities during those times. Some patients keep a diary for a week to record the times during the day when they feel most fatigued and the times when they have the most energy. They also state the reasons behind such observations.
4. Eat a balanced diet.
Keep in mind that you’ll need the expert advice of a medical professional for eating a balanced diet because eating the right kinds of food will help you feel better and get more energy. It’s extremely important for cancer patients to get enough calories, a lot of protein, plenty of fluids, and enough vitamins and minerals.
5. Exercise.
You may think that this is counterintuitive. However, regular, moderate exercise can ease the feelings of fatigue. Before you begin an exercise program, you’ll need to check with your doctor about it to make sure that there are no limitations specific to your condition. Remember that the right kind of exercise is the one that will not leave you feeling sore. The telltale sign that you’re overdoing it is when you’re feeling out of breath.
6. Take naps during the day.
Taking short power naps during the day that are not longer than an hour is much better than resting for a long period. A power nap that takes less than an hour is enough because anything that takes longer than that will tend to interfere with your rest cycle and make you feel more exhausted.
Do You Want to Help Us Save More Lives?
Breast Cancer Car Donations is the online vehicle donation platform for reputable 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations certified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Vehicle donations made through us are 100% tax-deductible. We use the proceeds from the auction sale of every donated vehicle to help fund the comprehensive breast health services being delivered by our charity partners. These services are focused on breast cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, and research.
We take almost all types of vehicles regardless of their age, mileage, and running condition.
If you want to join us in helping save lives through a vehicle donation, fill out our secure online donation form. We’ll call you back on the same day to arrange the free pickup and towing of your vehicle. Within 30 days after we’ve sold your vehicle at auction, you’ll receive by mail your 100% tax-deductible sales receipt. You can use this receipt to claim your top tax deduction in the next tax season.
If you need more information about how everything works, visit our FAQs page or give us a call at 866-540-5069. You may also send us a message online for your inquiries.
Make a Difference with Your Car Donation!
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Why hold on to a rusty old clunker when you can get rid of it for free and save lives at the same time? Choose to make a difference! Call us at 866-540-5069 and donate your car today!