Fortunately, Nash s fatigue began fading about two months ago. Movements are made more difficult, increasing frustration and simulating fatigue. Patients say it is very close to their own experiences. Sixty percent of healthcare professionals who ve been through it said it would alter the way they think about and treat fatigue. The first step is good patient assessment, Velez-Barone said.
Healthcare providers have to realize it s there and understand the risk factors.
If the patient has anemia, treat it. If they re malnourished, bring in a nutritionist. Part of managing fatigue is recognizing it, said Maryl L. Winningham, PhD, RN, executive director and senior research fellow at the Institutes for the Advancement of Health Care Engineering, a Salt Lake City think tank. In fact, calling it cancer fatigue may keep healthcare professionals from understanding that there may be many ways to help patients regain their energy, she said. Calling it fatigue means there s only one symptom, which means we look for the right treatment.