In order to treat the lack of blood (anaemia), either red blood cells are administered to the body in a transfusion or the body’s own production of red blood cells is stimulated with hormones. Both methods lead to a quick multiplication of oxygen in the blood and, for this reason, to an increase of a person’s energy and productivity.
If the fatigue is caused by muscle weaknesses, a systematic exercise programme can be used for therapy. Endurance sports like jogging, swimming and cycling are effective means of exercise for fatigue patients.
Therapy of fatigue
For a long time, only anaemia was treated in order to cure fatigue. Nowadays, multiple therapy measures are used for treatment. Medicinal and non-medicinal measures shall help the patient to cope with fatigue in a better way.
Treatment of anaemia
In order to treat the lack of blood (anaemia), either red blood cells are administered to the body in a transfusion or the body’s own production of red blood cells is stimulated with hormones. Both methods lead to a quick multiplication of oxygen in the blood and, for this reason, to an increase of a person’s energy and productivity. Due to the fact that the blood transfusion bears the risk of infections or incompatibility, the hormone treatment is being preferred. An advantage is the quicker effect that lasts for approximately three weeks and that can be repeated if necessary.
Treatment of physical causes
By treating cancer-related fatigue an impact onto the complete cancer therapy can be observed. Not only can a patient improve his or her quality of everyday life but also he/she can deal with the therapeutic measures in a better way. In order to improve the amount of red blood cells cancer patients are being preferably treated with the hormone erythropoietin (known as EPO) rather than a cell transfusion due to the higher risk of infection. A disadvantage of this treatment is the delayed or absent effect. Besides anaemia, metabolism or hormone disorders as well as thyroid and adrenal glands dysfunctions can be the cause for fatigue and be treated medicinally.
Sports and activities
If the fatigue is caused by muscle weaknesses, a systematic exercise programme can be used for therapy. Although a gentle treatment of the patient should be considered, activities during illness and therapy should not be reduced to a minimum as the lack of movement can have a negative impact upon the productivity of a patient and his or her course of disease. Endurance sports like jogging, swimming and cycling are effective means of exercise for fatigue patients. Even speedy walking heightens the productivity and fights the fatigue. The exercise should not only start after the therapy but with the beginning of the treatment.
Therapy of mental-related fatigue
A consequence of both the disease and the fatigue is the mental burden. A persistent depressive mood and a lack of motivation can occur on their own or together. In order to cure these mental symptoms, antidepressants sometimes are prescribed, but generally, means of behaviour therapy are preferred to the medicinal treatment.
Barbara Kliem
Weiterlesen
Fatigue appears as a symptom of several diseases. It is mostly mentioned in the context of cancer. Other diseases which cause fatigue are autoimmune diseases, chronic infections and mental disorders. Besides the physical impact of these diseases the often long-term and exhausting therapeutic measures are responsible for the genesis of fatigue.
The cause of fatigue is being seen as a combination of multiple facts and therefore develops for different reasons. The treatment of an illness can cause changes of the metabolism, the hormone level and brain functions.
In order to treat the lack of blood (anaemia), either red blood cells are administered to the body in a transfusion or the body’s own production of red blood cells is stimulated with hormones. Both methods lead to a quick multiplication of oxygen in the blood and, for this reason, to an increase of a person’s energy and productivity.
If the fatigue is caused by muscle weaknesses, a systematic exercise programme can be used for therapy. Endurance sports like jogging, swimming and cycling are effective means of exercise for fatigue patients.
It is often difficult to distinct fatigue from general tiredness and exhaustion. A general gradation of tiredness does not exist. The judgement of the patient and the surrounding’s observation are the most significant criteria for a firm diagnosis.
A comprehensive conversation between patient and doctor is essential for the diagnosis of fatigue. Due to the fact that all patients react differently to the symptoms of chronic diseases and the therapeutic measures that are prescribed to cure them, most patients do not identify the exhaustion as a treatable symptom but as a necessary side affect to deal with.