New Delhi: Diabetes itself can cause extreme tiredness and fatigue as well. Sometimes frequent fluctuations in blood sugar levels like hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia can cause chronic fatigue and tiredness as well. Tiredness with profuse sweating is a sign for hypoglycemia and that helps in treating hypoglycemia in a period of short interval. Identifying hypoglycemia and treating in correct time prevents from neuroglycopenia, seizures. The cause of hypoglycemia could be because of the drugs/combination of drugs, infection, or because of not taking food in right time.
In an interaction with News9Live, Dr Venit Rose, General Physician, Prashanth Hospitals, Chennai, explained what hyperglycemia is and how fatigue associated with it can be managed.
“Hyperglycemia (sugars more than 250 mg/dl) can cause dizziness and can resent as chronic fatigue. The hyperglycemia could be because of poor control, poor drug compliance and no regular follow-up with bad dietary habits, sedentary lifestyle, smoking and drinking etc. So, these fluctuations hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia can itself cause chronic fatigue and tiredness. There can be other associated conditions and illness can cause chronic fatigue along with diabetes like hypothyroidism, vitamin D deficiencies, vitamin B12 deficiency, magnesium and calcium deficiencies. Micronutrients deficiencies can be corrected by medications and some can be corrected by injections. Checking those values plays a pivotal role in fatigue and tiredness,” said Dr Rose.
Complication of uncontrolled diabetes itself plays a major role in fatigue and tiredness. As we all know uncontrolled diabetes can lead to microvascular and microvascular complications like diabetic neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy and skin changes. Diabetic neuropathy presenting as chronic pain and muscle weakness can cause extreme fatigue and tiredness. Sometimes, diabetic heart disease can just present with the tiredness and those can be ruled out only with ECG and echo. Dehydration, depression, stress, sleep disturbance and inactive lifestyle can cause extreme tiredness and fatigue.
How to overcome chronic fatigue and extreme tiredness?
Introducing lifestyle changes: Poor lifestyle choices for diabetes patients contribute to further complications. So, the first step towards combating diabetes fatigue is by introducing tangible lifestyle changes. Positive lifestyle changes also help with weight management, crucial for overweight or obese type-2 diabetes patients. According to ADA, regular exercise is associated with optimal glucose metabolism in diabetes patients.
Practicing Good Sleep Hygiene: One of the most common triggers of diabetes fatigue is poor sleep quality. So, practicing good sleeping habits is a way to manage the symptoms and overcome them in the long run. We suggest getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep to let the body relax and recover throughout the night. So, instead of leading a sedentary lifestyle, switch things up and go out for a walk in the morning or evening. Pair that with a diet including whole grains and fresh produce, and you should start noticing changes in your overall well-being.
Manage your Stress: Stress is a direct contributor to fatigue. Not just in diabetes patients, stress is a unified element that can drain the last ounce of energy from a healthy person too. So, if you are battling stress and anxiety, try to find positive ways to manage the symptoms. You can talk to a professional, find positive coping mechanisms or even eliminate the negative triggers from your life for good.
Balanced diet: Good nutrients supplements for vitamin D, magnesium and calcium they should take along with the diabetic medications.
Regular doctor visits: Regular follow up with your doctor for sugars for avoiding fluctuations in sugar levels and to prevent from complications of diabetes is mandatory to avoid fatigue and tiredness
Hyperglycemia (sugars more than 250 mg/dl) can cause dizziness and can resent as chronic fatigue. The hyperglycemia could be because of poor control, poor drug compliance and no regular follow-up with bad dietary habits, sedentary lifestyle, smoking and drinking etc. Health News Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
