Does Lung Cancer Make You Tired?

… Continued …

Lung cancer can make you tired for several reasons

Feeling of tired related to cancer is often not fully understood.  However there are some explanations!

Experts believe that cancer can cause many changes in the body, which some have contribution to cause fatigue. For instance, some lung cancers can make cytokines (a kind of protein) that may make patient tired more easily.

The body has its own mechanism to fight against cancer. But this process may also drain lots of energy and as a result you can be easier to have lack of energy.

The cancer can cause damage to the lungs. If it has spread (metastasized), it also can damage other organs of the body. It can spread anywhere, but it‘s likely to spread and affect liver, bones, adrenal glands, lymph nodes, and brain. These damages can contribute to cause weakness and fatigue, too.

For instance, the production of your red blood cells is likely to work improperly if the cancer has affected your bone morrow. This can lead to low production of red blood cells, causing anemia.

Lung cancer can also affect other parts of the body, even though if the cancer has not spread – causing paraneoplastic syndromes which fatigue and weakness can be some of the symptoms.  See more about paraneoplastic syndromes in here!

What else?

1. The cancer can affect your sleep with numerous different ways. If you have lack of sleep, you are easier to get fatigue.
2. When you’re being sick, you are likely to become inactive. And lack of physical activity will worsen your fatigue.
3. Cancer may also affect your appetite.
4. The disease can make you depressed, anxious, and stress. All these psychological conditions can drain more energy, as noted before.
5. Chest pain due to lung cancer can be very bothersome. While it can be serious, it may also affect your daily routines – and you are also likely to be less active, become depressed, sleep poorly, and eat less – all of which can add to your weakness.

Cancer treatments

While lung cancer itself is difficult to cope, the treatments for cancer can carry some side effects. However each cancer treatment you need to take should provide benefits that outweigh the risks!

Some studies suggest that fatigue and weakness are common side effects of cancer treatments. Even most patents getting cancer treatments experience these symptoms!

There are also several ways of how cancer treatments make you more tired. For examples:

1. If you take chemotherapy, your weakness and fatigue usually worsen in the first few days during the treatment and then these will get better until in the next cycle of the treatment.
2. Radiotherapy is another cancer treatment. It can also cause excess exhaustion that typically will get worse as your treatment goes on.
3. Over time, there is a chance for some cancer treatment to also affect the amount of red blood cells in the body, causing anemia.
4. The cancer treatments are designed to target the cancer cells. However, they may also affect some healthy cells. This also can contribute to make you tired.
5. And as your body repairs the damage to healthy tissues, this can drain your energy, too.
6. Furthermore, some side effects of cancer treatments may affect your appetite, making you eat less.

It seems that there are numerous different ways of how lung cancer can make you tired more easily.

The best way to beat cancer-related fatigue is by addressing the underlying medical cause. But in fact, it’s not easy to find it. Even many times, the problem is attributed by multiple causes.

However there are some options to manage your energy and reduce your fatigue. The following are some common recommendations (for more advice, talk to your doctor):

Use your energy efficiently!

There are many things you can explore to save more energy.

1. Have a good schedule for rest. Take a rest before you become too tired!
2. Plan ahead of your activity so thus you’re not in a hurry. Simplify details & combine activities!
3. Make your task easier! For instances; store item lower, adjust your level to avoid bending over, or even wear a comfortable cloth for easy breathing can help, too!
4. Limit particular task or work that can make you tired quickly. For instances, limit any task that requires reaching over your head and increases your muscle tension.
5. Make a priority! Decide some that are important, and use more energy for these important tasks! And delegate unnecessary tasks when needed!
6. Use accessories that can help you work easier. For instance, if you need to use an office chair, choose one with ergonomic design.
7. Do ‘body mechanics’ properly! For instance, if you need to lift something on the floor, bend on your knees and use the leg muscles to lift. This can help reduce tension on your back!

Moreover, it’s also important to pay attention on some harmful environmental factors! These include; avoid secondhand smoke and temperature extremes. Avoid also long, hot baths!

Diet

Your diet plays a key role to supply your energy. If you experience changes in appetite, ask your doctor /dietitian for help! Your dietitian can also help give you advice about specific foods (or even supplements if necessary) to help keep you energetic.

What else?

1. When your body is not fit enough, it’s normal to take a bed rest. But don’t take it too long!
2. Remain active as much as you can. Once your body is ready, start your exercise as soon as possible.
3. Manage your stress level as well!

Don’t let yourself down and isolated. Instead, keep close with others and socialize!

Remember that you are not alone! Find communities of cancer in your local area so thus you can share your experience with others. This can help reduce your risk of having depression, too.