POZ IRELAND
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POZ IRELAND
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FATIGUE Fatigue is a general feeling of tiredness that does not really go away, even after you have been able to rest. With physical fatigue you are not able to be as active as you used to, even with simple tasks like going up stairs or carrying shopping. With psychological fatigue, you are not able to concentrate as well as normal or you lose the motivation to do things. Fatigue can be caused by:
If you are feeling very tired and have any of the other symptoms associated with lactic acidosis (page 39)it is very important that you report this to your doctor. Treatments Blood tests can check whether your fatigue is caused by anaemia (low red blood cells). This can be a side effect of AZT and can be treated easily with medication or with a blood transfusion in more serious cases. You may be feeling more tired because you are not sleeping properly. There is more information about difficulties with sleep - see insomnia. If you are not eating a balanced diet – i.e. not getting sufficient calories and nutrients for your body to function normally – this can leave you feeling more tired. Multivitamins and supplements of vitamin B12 can sometimes help you feel more energetic. Coping with fatigue The first steps you can take is to pace your daily life, altering activity/rest patterns, including frequent rest breaks, and delegating activities to others. Working out at the gym or jogging is a form of natural psychological and physical stimulation, but more moderate exercise, like walking, can be helpful, too. People have also found meditative exercise such as yoga or tai chi to be very restorative. Massage, therapeutic touch, acupuncture and other alternative therapies that claim to restore the body's "energy balance" may have a role to play, if only for their meditative aspects, which relieves mental tension and depression. Psychosocial counselling and support groups can be important for helping to cope with emotional stress or anxiety. Occupational therapy can be a valuable strategy for distraction from focusing on disease symptoms and emotions. (Antidepressant medication can be used in cases of depression.)
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