Breast Cancer-Related Fatigue
Breast Cancer-Related Fatigue
Get enough vitamins. Ask your doctor whether you should take a vitamin supplement if you're not sure you're getting enough nutrients. A multivitamin provides many of the nutrients your body needs. But vitamin supplements don't have calories, so make sure you eat nutritious foods to get your calories.
Consider seeing a registered dietitian. They can help you with any eating problems that may be keeping you from getting proper nutrition (such as problems swallowing, changes in tastes, or feeling full quickly). A dietitian can also suggest ways to get more calories and protein in smaller amounts of food.
Your cancer and treatments may make you feel drained, leaving you lying in bed or sitting in chairs for hours. But that sort of inactivity can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, weakness, and further fatigue.
Regular, moderate exercise can ease those feelings, help you stay active, and give you more energy. Even during your cancer treatment, you may be able to keep exercising. Here are some tips:
Swimming, brisk walking, stationary cycling, and low-impact aerobics (taught by a certified instructor) might be good choices. But talk to your doctor if you have any questions about exercises that are safe for you.
In this article
- Causes of Cancer-Related Fatigue
- Other Possible Culprits
- How Your Doctor Can Help
- How You Can Help Yourself
- 8 Ways to Save Up Your Energy
- Get Good Nutrition
- Get Exercise
- Take Charge of Your Stress
- When to Call Your Doctor
Get Good Nutrition continued...
Get enough vitamins. Ask your doctor whether you should take a vitamin supplement if you're not sure you're getting enough nutrients. A multivitamin provides many of the nutrients your body needs. But vitamin supplements don't have calories, so make sure you eat nutritious foods to get your calories.
Consider seeing a registered dietitian. They can help you with any eating problems that may be keeping you from getting proper nutrition (such as problems swallowing, changes in tastes, or feeling full quickly). A dietitian can also suggest ways to get more calories and protein in smaller amounts of food.
Get Exercise
Your cancer and treatments may make you feel drained, leaving you lying in bed or sitting in chairs for hours. But that sort of inactivity can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, weakness, and further fatigue.
Regular, moderate exercise can ease those feelings, help you stay active, and give you more energy. Even during your cancer treatment, you may be able to keep exercising. Here are some tips:
- Check with your doctor before you begin an exercise program.
- Start slowly if you get the OK. Give your body time to adjust.
- Keep a regular exercise schedule. Try to be active at least 150 minutes a week. If you're just starting, build up to this amount over time.
- The right kind of exercise never makes you feel sore, stiff, or exhausted. If you that happens or you feel out of breath, you're overdoing it.
Swimming, brisk walking, stationary cycling, and low-impact aerobics (taught by a certified instructor) might be good choices. But talk to your doctor if you have any questions about exercises that are safe for you.
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