What is Diabetes Fatigue?

Diabetes fatigue is the result of a disparity in one’s blood sugar. The body needs the hormone insulin to transform glucose, a type of sugar in the blood, into energy. When the body has metabolism difficulty, sugar flows through the blood stream as unconverted energy. This causes the body to have an insufficient amount of energy, causing exhaustion. Diabetes fatigue can be both mental and physical and is an early warning sign of diabetes.

Individuals suffering from physical fatigue will be unable to move muscles as they normally would. Physical fatigue can exist in the arms or legs or throughout the entire body. A physically fatigued person has to put forth substantial exertion to complete daily activities.

Diabetes fatigue can also affect a person mentally. With mental fatigue, a person is always tired and aspires to sleep all the time. In addition to a feeling of drowsiness, mental fatigue may result in a lack of concentration. Other symptoms that are often associated with diabetes fatigue include excessive thirst and hunger, along with the need to constantly go to the bathroom, vision impairment, and skin irritations.

Fatigue occurs in individuals with type 1 diabetes when the pancreas is unable to manufacture any insulin whatsoever. Blood contains glucose, but insulin is unavailable to be taken in by cells. Individuals suffering from type 2 diabetes do not get enough insulin to meet the body’s needs, which also causes fatigue. Diabetes fatigue can also be brought about by conditions including obesity, kidney ailments, hypertension, and coronary disease.

When a person's blood sugar level stays constant, the feeling of exhaustion will decrease. If a person suffers from diabetes fatigue, there are lifestyle changes he can make on the onset of diabetes. A person can shed extra pounds until arriving at his proper body weight. Other alterations an individual can make include eating a healthy diet, exercising, and getting enough sleep.

In cases when lifestyle changes do not work, a person may need to resort to other methods. This can include oral medication or insulin shots. During more advanced instances of diabetes fatigue, a person will need to continue to eat properly, exercise, and get plenty of sleep.

Additional techniques to combat fatigue include relaxation techniques. Meditating, visualizing positive images, and practicing breathing exercises assists in lowering stress levels and lowering blood pressure. Maintaining a positive attitude and accepting one's condition can also assist to fight fatigue.