Fatigue in Pediatric Oncology Patients
Kitapta bölümler > Diğer · 2012
Yazarlar: Hatice Bal
Contemporary Pediatrics, Diğer, Uluslararası, 2012, ,
DOI: 10.5772/33068
Özet
An experience affecting all bodily functions induced by emotional, cognitive and physical factors An unpleasant perception caused by distress A chronic and implacable phenomenon A subjective experience based on self-perception (Yurtsever 2000) Considering that fatigue is primarily perceived by the patient, it is best defined with selfreport besides physical examination, laboratory findings, reports from family members and health care professionals (HCPs) on patient's condition and behaviors as additional sources of information (De Nijs et al. 2008).Fatigue can be observed in a variety of ways.Some of the determinant characteristics of fatigue are: Major characteristics Constant verbal expression of the loss of energy Incapacity in sustaining routine activities Minor characteristics A need for extra energy for fulfilling routine daily tasks Increase in physical complaints Being emotionally unsteady or sensitive Loss of concentration skills Reduced performance Lethargy or indisposition Indifference to environment Incapacity to fulfill social activities Inability to muster up enough energy despite having proper sleep (Yurtsever 2000). Causes of fatiguePotential causes of fatigue are enlisted as follows:www.intechopen.comFatigue in Pediatric Oncology Patients 347 2.1 Pathophysiological factors Infections: Acute infections; hepatitis Chronic infections; endocarditis Secondary to the situations below, associated with reduced tissue oxygenation; congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, anemia, peripheral vascular disease Secondary to the situations below, associated with biochemical alterations; Endocrine disorders; diabetes mellitus, Addison's disease, hypothyroidism, chronic diseases; kidney failure, cirrhosis Secondary to the situations below, associated with muscle weakness; Neuromuscular diseases; Parkinson, multiple sclerosis Secondary to the situations below, associated with the changes in food metabolism or nutritional deficiency; nausea, vomit, diarrhea, side effects of medicines… Obesity Electrolyte imbalance Eating disorders; Fe, B12 vitamin deficiency AIDS 2.2 Treatment related factors Associated with chemotherapy Associated with radiotherapy and immunotherapy Associated with side effects of certain medicines (long term use of corticosteroids, beta blockers…) Associated with surgical tissue damage and anesthesia 2.3 Situational factors Secondary to the situations below, associated with reduced activity and prolonged loss of condition Depression, anxiety, fever, diarrhea, pain, social isolation, nausea/vomit Associated with the intensity of role systems Associated with intense-excessive distress Associated with sleeping disorders (Yurtsever, 2000).