When fatigue is not addressed, there is a high probability that it will negatively affect the patient’s participation in healthy behaviors. It is well known that a patient’s active participation can improve recovery from any injury or illness. The first step is the assessment of a patient’s fatigue, with a follow up focus on fatigue management strategies. The clinical guidelines for cancer-related fatigue recommend fatigue assessment as the sixth vital sign. This recommendation is a good guideline for all provider/patient interactions and provides an overall picture of the patient’s health. While fatigue is often an expected symptom of chronic illness or cancer therapy, few patients are given a proactive approach to fatigue management. When fatigue is left untreated, the patient is set up for failure in all self-management behaviors. Fatigue is a manageable condition but requires the active and well-informed patient and a supportive, well-informed health care team.
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