Tired all the time? It would be a sign of diabetes

If you have been  feeling tired on and off, over a long period of time you may have blood sugar swings that could be a possible sign of diabetes. Well! Not to jump to conclusions soon, your body mass index (BMI), stress, depression, medications, and physical exertion also significantly contribute to low energy levels. 

One of the early signs of diabetes mellitus is fatigue. More often scientists have related fatigue to diabetes and vice versa, referring to it as “diabetes fatigue”. This can be because diabetes causes low insulin uptake by the cells leading to non-conversion of blood glucose to energy.   

Also, when you have diabetes, low food intake and untimely insulin administration can bring down your energy levels or glucose levels causing hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is also observed in people with diabetes. This article explores the ways to boost energy when you have low energy levels. 

Diabetes and Tiredness: What does the research say?

Are you suffering with diabetes and are struggling with feeling tired all the time? Dietary changes and that extra sleep are not helping you in any way? It may be diabetes that is to be blamed. The fatigue that a person with diabetes goes through will need more extra effort to wipe out. 

A study in the journal Industrial Psychiatry shows that people with type 2 diabetes are approximately ten times more likely to experience fatigue and depression than the non-diabetic population. 

Endocrinologists find the reason behind such fatigue in people with diabetes. They believe that glucose- the main energy source for the cells in the body is high in people with diabetes. This means that the cells are unable to take in the glucose and have less energy to function and do their activities. 

People with type 2 diabetes can have a dip in glucose levels at times of fasting or delay in having food. The combined effect of high plus low blood sugar levels can spur fatigue, making it worse. 

Researchers also worked on the differential fatigue levels among diabetes and non-diabetic participants in a questionnaire survey. Researchers could conclude that fatigue levels were much higher among people with diabetes. However, not much could be identified about the fatigue contributing factors. 

Certainly, a breakthrough in understanding the contributors of diabetes was when a study published in one of the journals- SAGE shows that physiological factors like increased body mass index (BMI), lack of exercise, and psychological factors like emotional distress, depression, can all be significant contributors to excessive tiredness in people with type 2 diabetes. Fatigue among people with type 2 diabetes is conclusively a multifactorial effect. 

Not to forget that many people with diabetes also suffer from other conditions like heart diseases, kidney problems, and dehydration. These associated medical conditions can further elevate fatigue levels. Numerous studies show the link between fatigue and type 1 diabetes. A study published by the American Diabetes Association shows that nearly 40% of the people with type 1 diabetes had chronic fatigue that could invariably impact their everyday tasks and quality of life. Fatigue seems to affect people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes and Fatigue: A proactive approach to boost your energy levels

While dealing with fatigue and diabetes at the same time, addressing symptoms and concerns is the most effective way. The following steps can help you cope with your low energy levels and the feeling of tiredness most of the time. 

Talk to your doctor/ Diabetologist

The first mandatory thing that people with diabetes do is regular monitoring of blood sugar levels. Talk to your doctor if your blood sugar levels are fluctuating, and work on bringing them back to their healthy ranges. 

Once the glucose levels return to their baseline levels, check how soon you get tired or do you feel tired all the time. This can help to work with the doctor on the exhaustion that could be bothering you or preventing your daily routine. These are necessary steps to pump up the energy levels.

Keep a track of your daily routine

The second step to sorting things out with your tiredness is to keep a record of your symptoms- like when you are most tired, which activities get you exhausted, the number of times you get up in the night for the bathroom, if you have disturbed sleep, feel depressed, and more. 

You should also keep a track of your meals, exercise, time of meals, and insulin intake. These detailed notes can help your doctor understand your symptoms better and assist you with the lifestyle changes.

Maintain an active lifestyle

One of the key approaches to taking care of diabetes and overall health is to be as active as possible. Regular exercising or physical activity can aid in improving energy levels, reducing stress, and modulating blood sugar levels. But, people with diabetes can feel too tired to exercise. 

However, instead of intense workouts, indulge in regular walks in the park, stretching, or even yoga. Start by setting small achievable goals and gradually increasing your achievable targets. A study published in the Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, irrespective of the limitation, any form of exercise can reduce the harmful stress that is regarded as the root of many diseases. 

Your Mental health matters

Managing diabetes is a commitment for a lifetime. The Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine published a study showing that people with diabetes are 2-3 times more likely to have depression compared to those without this condition. Depression and diabetes can in combination lead to a lack of energy. 

We also cannot rule out the fact that diabetes is also associated with emotional stress and anxiety. Seek therapeutic help for your mood swings, depression, and anxiety. Your therapist can help you improve your mental health while dealing with diabetes which can eventually help cope with fatigue. 

Prioritise having a good night’s sleep  

More than half of the people with diabetes have trouble sleeping. Diabetes, stress, and anxiety, all contribute to insomnia. And also the more frequent waking up at night to urinate can affect the quality of sleep. 

Sleep disturbances can keep your energy levels low during the day. Try to change your routine and catch up with good sleep habits. Getting up and sleeping at the same time, every day is one such habit. The National Sleep Foundation recommends many such healthy sleep habits. Keep your room cool and dark while sleeping and switch off the electronics gadget before sleep, have your meal at least a couple of hours before you hit the bed- these are a couple of practices that can help have quality sleep. 

And speak with your doctor if sleep disorders trouble you and you are still worried about them. 

Conclusion

More often people with diabetes feel exhausted too quickly. In fact, feeling tired all the time is one of the first signs of diabetes. It is a continual cycle where high glucose levels decrease the cell’s energy levels, restricting the cell's activities and slowing down the body's metabolism, which will in turn increase sugar levels. 

No wonder diabetes is a metabolic disorder with a chain of metabolic issues involved. Association of diabetes with health conditions such as heart ailments, kidney diseases, and certain neurological conditions also impacts energy levels causing extreme tiredness and fatigue.

While only diet and physical activities may not help boost the energy, a more holistic approach with regular glucose monitoring, having quality sleep, de-stressing, managing depression, anxiety, and mood fluctuations, keeping a diary of your daily activities, and most importantly being as active as possible is paramount. 

Consult your doctor to know what exactly is the concern and get comprehensive treatment for diabetes and fatigue.