Is Chronic Fatigue an Indicator of Diabetes?

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Yes, however it can also happen due to a variety of other circumstances. Here’s what to look for in diabetes, obesity, and other disorders, as well as what to do if you’re tired for any reason.

The terms “fatigue” and “tiredness” are frequently used interchangeably. But there is a distinction between the two.

Everyone gets tired now and then, and most of the time, all it takes to “cure” exhaustion is a nap or a good night’s sleep.

Even with lots of sleep, the sense of lethargy persists with weariness. It’s never-ending. Fatigue makes simple tasks more difficult and can significantly interfere with regular, everyday functioning.

Consider dealing with exhaustion in addition to another chronic ailment. This is true for millions of people who suffer from diabetes-related fatigue.

What Causes Diabetes Fatigue?

Diabetes and weariness are linked in both directions. They feed on and exacerbate each other, and both are exacerbated by a variety of external variables.

Diabetes can cause fatigue for a variety of reasons. Blood sugar fluctuations are a major factor.

“Fatigue is a symptom of hyperglycemia (high blood glucose),” says Dr. Soumya Hullannavar, Lead Ayurveda Endocrine Specialist at Diabetes Reversal Clinics & EliteAyurveda Clinics. When blood glucose levels are excessively high, the body does not process glucose as energy, resulting in exhaustion or fatigue.”

Fatigue can coexist with other medical issues. These are some examples:

  • Unhealthy lifestyle patterns include poor diet/meal skipping, a lack of exercise, and excessive caffeine or alcohol consumption.
  • Insomnia/poor sleeping habits
  • Obesity
  • Chronic inflammation is widespread.
  • Neuropathy, myopathy, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and renal failure are among diabetic consequences.
  • Medication side effects include exhaustion from corticosteroids, statins, diuretics, beta-blockers, and some diabetes medications.

Additional Diabetes Symptoms

Fatigue is only one of the symptoms of diabetes. If you have weariness as well as the following symptoms, consult your doctor about getting tested for diabetes.

  • Urination on a regular basis
  • Constant hunger and/or thirst
  • hazy vision
  • Hand or foot numbness or tingling
  • Skin dehydration
  • Sores that take a long time to heal
  • Infections that last a long time

Diabetes Complications That Can Contribute to Fatigue

Certain diabetic problems, in addition to blood sugar abnormalities, lead to weariness. Among these complications are:

Kidney failure or disease

Heart attack

Neuropathy/nervous damage

Muscle weakness (myopathy)

Other Potential Fatigue Causes

Fatigue can be a sign of a variety of illnesses other than diabetes. The following are some of the top non-diabetes-related culprits:

Anemia

Autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and so on)

The syndrome of chronic fatigue

Infections that are chronic or undiscovered (for example, Lyme disease)

Disorders of the endocrine system (hypothyroidism, Addison’s disease, hormonal imbalances)

Fibromyalgia

Deficiencies in nutrition

Treatments for other illnesses, such as cancer, might have unintended consequences.

Diabetes and Fatigue Investigation

Several studies have found a correlation between diabetes and weariness, but more research is needed to fully understand the hows and whys.

According to one study, those with diabetes are ten times more likely to report exhaustion than those with normal blood sugar functions. Sixty-eight percent of study participants reported weariness.

According to a review of existing evidence, diabetes-related fatigue is most likely caused by the interaction of physiological, psychological, and lifestyle factors. However, it agreed that a standard definition of exhaustion in diabetes was required before even beginning to investigate the matter further.

Diabetes Medications Have Adverse Side Effects

Diabetes drugs are classified into various types, each with a unique mechanism for helping to stabilise blood sugar. Some have negative side effects, such as tiredness.

Diabetes medications, in general, work to lower elevated blood sugar levels. If it does this too well, you may get hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Fatigue can be caused by chronic hypoglycemia.

To keep an eye out for this, your doctor should perform routine blood tests. However, discuss if you have chronic fatigue, since this may indicate that your prescription dosage needs to be adjusted.

Other diabetes medications that may produce fatigue include:

  • Metformin (Glucophage, Fortamet, Riomet) and other biguanides act by improving how your body handles glucose. Metformin increases insulin sensitivity and decreases sugar in the intestines, resulting in less sugar in the blood. Metformin side effects include vitamin B12 deficiency, which can cause severe exhaustion. You can avoid this by working with your doctor to take a B12 supplement and have your blood levels checked on a regular basis.
  • Nateglinide (Starlix) and repaglinide (Prandin) are meglitinides that assist the pancreas produce more insulin. Fatigue has been recorded as a side effect, albeit it is uncommon.
  • Thiazolidinediones, such as pioglitazone (Actos) and rosiglitazone (Avandia), activate certain receptors, resulting in a series of events that improve blood sugar metabolism. These medicines, however, have a tendency to promote excessive fluid retention, which increases the risk of heart failure. Excessive tiredness is a major sign of heart failure.

Emotional and Mental Health

Diabetes patients face not only physical issues, but also mental health concerns. Anger, denial, and depression are all common feelings experienced following a diabetes diagnosis and when deciding on treatment options.

Depression is twice as frequent in diabetics, but only around a quarter to a half of them are detected and treated. While diabetes affects both sexes, research reveals that women with diabetes are more likely to suffer from depression.

What has this to do with fatigue?

Fatigue, on the other hand, is a well-known symptom of depression. Some people had difficulties sleeping, which leads to weariness during the day. Others simply do not have enough hours in the day to sleep, and they end up spending the entire day in bed.

How Obesity Can Contribute to Diabetes Fatigue

Obesity is a factor in roughly half of all new diabetes cases diagnosed in the United States each year.

Being overweight or obese raises your chances of developing the following conditions, all of which contribute to fatigue:

Obstructive sleep apnea

Hormonal discord

Chronic inflammation can lead to sleep-disrupting illnesses such as high blood pressure and arthritis.

How to Deal with Diabetes Fatigue

Fatigue can be aggravating, and dealing with it can feel insurmountable. After all, who wants to exert effort when they’re exhausted?

Diabetes-related weariness, on the other hand, is curable. The first step is to ensure that your blood sugar stays within the target range.

“The best way to manage hyperglycemia-related fatigue is to monitor blood glucose levels,” says Dr. Soumya . “Diabetics should consult with their doctor about a hyperglycemia management plan.” The plan should be tailored to the individual, which may be determined by the type of diabetes, age, duration of diabetes, treatment plan, and other personal variables.”

Here are a few other lifestyle adjustments that can assist with fatigue:

  • Take care of your depression. It can help a lot when it comes to weariness. If you or a loved one suspects you may be depressed, consult a mental health specialist.
  • Enhance your diet. You should already be watching what you eat if you have diabetes. If you aren’t already, this is the time to start. Cut back on carbohydrates and sweets to avoid the blood sugar roller coaster that causes big energy slumps. Consume low-glycemic fruits and vegetables, lean meats like poultry and fish, and healthy fats like olive oil and avocados. Because dietary fat is the slowest-burning fuel source in the body, eating health-promoting monounsaturated fats delivers a long, constant supply of energy.
  • Exercise. It may seem contradictory to advise someone who is constantly tired to exercise, but physical activity is one of the most effective natural energy boosters accessible. According to one study, low-intensity exercise (such as a leisurely walk) helped sedentary people reduce their weariness by 65%.If walking isn’t your thing, try a low-impact activity that is—dancing, yoga, riding, elliptical, and swimming are all great options. Exercise can also help you lose weight.
  • Correct any vitamin deficits. Iron deficiency, as well as deficiencies in vitamins B12 and D, are among the primary dietary reasons of weariness. It is not uncommon for diabetics to have these and other dietary deficits.
  • Examine your meds. Examine how many of your everyday medications identify fatigue as a possible adverse effect. Find alternatives or ask your doctor if you may wean off some of these medications. It may not be doable, but it is worth investigating. (However, do not discontinue any medicine without first consulting your doctor.)
  • Thyroid hormones must be in balance. Low thyroid hormone levels are frequently blamed for fatigue. Check your thyroid function to ensure that your levels are not abnormal.

When Should You Consult a Doctor About Diabetes Fatigue?

Fatigue is undeniably debilitating and difficult. However, struggling in silence simply adds to the stress and pessimism.

If you begin to experience fatigue symptoms, consult with your health care practitioner right away so that you can devise a treatment plan. They can assist you in determining what is causing it and how to resolve it.

Our Outlook –

How are we able to Treat Diabetes Completely?

“Madhumeha” is the term for Diabetes in Ayurveda, which means ‘Sweet urine’. The manifestation of diabetes is through thirst or urination. According to Ayurveda, due to accumulation of Vata Dosha. Vata dosha accumulates in the large intestine and travels to the pancreas, which hampers its functioning.

Sometimes, Pitta Dosha also leads to diabetes. This is when Pitta gets accumulated in the small intestine before moving to the liver and may cause damage to pancreas. As the main constituent of Pitta is Agni, it burns out pancreas leading to Diabetes.

If the above things are taken into consideration, the treatment of Diabetes in Ayurveda starts with proper cleansing of the body and balancing of doshas. The treatment includes herbal combinations that are prepared based on individual Prakruti and Vikruti analysis. Ie. The treatment is based on a person’s body composition & which dosha is dominant. The treatments like Dhara, Udwarthanam, Thalam, etc are followed to reverse diabetes. The treatment also includes Panchakarma & Yoga procedures to address the root cause of disease. We have seen many patients successfully reversing Diabetes and now living a healthy life.

Unlike other treatment procedures that jump straight to symptom management, we address the root-cause of the disease. Our treatment for Diabetes has proved to achieve a near cure and symptom-free state. We focus on diet, use of potent herbs, meditation, massage with herbal oils and yoga. These classical ayurveda practices have proven & shown sustained results in our Diabetes Treatment.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Soumya Hullannavar, Lead Ayurveda Endocrine Specialist at Diabetes Reversal Clinics & EliteAyurveda Clinics. With over 15 years of experience in treating endocrine & diabetes cases

Visit  diabetesreversal.clinic for additional details.

Know more about Ayurveda Diabetes Reversal.