What Causes Diabetes Fatigue?

A common symptom of type 2 diabetes is fatigue.  If you’re a type 2 diabetic, you probably know what it’s like to feel low energy levels, even after a full night of sleep.

It seemed like you had a good night of rest, but even a bright sunny morning wouldn’t allow you to escape the constant lethargy and frustration that were ruling your day.

Maybe you’re searching for something that might explain the fatigue you’ve been having lately.  There’s a long list of chronic conditions that might be causing your fatigue and related symptoms, including type 2 diabetes.

Chronic fatigue just isn’t normal, so the time has come for you to speak with a medical provider that specializes in diagnosing type 2 diabetes and other known causes of extreme fatigue.

Many chronic diseases can be managed or even reversed with nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices.

Keep in mind that drugs may be part of the solution, but should only be used as a last resort.  Choosing a medical provider that emphasizes natural health care solutions is my recommended approach to taking control of your health.

What Causes Diabetes Fatigue?

What is it about type 2 diabetes that robs you of the youthful energy that you once enjoyed?  It’s like the power company suddenly reduced the amount of electrical current available to your body.  Diabetes related fatigue has a way of shifting your body into granny gear and messing up every aspect of your life.

Fortunately, many type 2 diabetics have successfully overcome diabetes related fatigue.

Now, it’s your turn.

Like millions of diabetics before you, you’ll reach the conclusion that although you have many things in common with other type 2 diabetics, you’re also incredibly unique.

Subduing your fatigue demons can be an ongoing struggle and even a source of frustration for you and your family.  Excusing yourself from family events and shying away from playing with your children can be frustrating, even aggravating, but preserving your health is the best thing for everyone in the long run.

Sometimes it just doesn’t make sense to attend an event.  Diabetes related fatigue may or may not be a huge issue for you, but learning how to effectively manage your time and energy is a reliable way to preserve your health and quality of life.

Known Causes of Diabetes Fatigue

You may or may not already know that high or low blood glucose levels can cause type 2 diabetes related fatigue.

A higher than normal blood glucose level can turn blood into a poorly circulating sludge.  This prevents your blood cells from obtaining enough oxygen and nutrition.

Low blood sugar, on the other hand, means that there simply isn’t enough fuel for your cells to work efficiently.

High blood glucose levels can also instigate blood vessel inflammation in combination with monocyte immune cell activity to promote extreme fatigue.

Once again, the effective management of blood glucose levels holds the key to success in the life of a diabetic.

What Else Can Cause Fatigue?

Even if you have type 2 diabetes, that doesn’t necessarily mean that diabetes is the sole cause of your slumping energy levels.  There are many other health problems that are associated with chronic fatigue.

The following partial list of fatigue causing medical conditions just might include one or more potential culprits in your case:

Anemia

Anemia is characterized by a lower than normal red blood cell count.  It is usually associated with a deficiency in iron, vitamin B-12 or folic acid.

Heavy menstrual bleeding can also result in low iron and anemia in women.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism, or low thyroid, has become increasingly prevalent in the general population.  Diabetics are even more susceptible to developing hypothyroidism.

A low thyroid will cause you to feel depressed, tired and sleepy.

Low testosterone

Low testosterone, particularly in diabetic men, may impose fatigue, depression and a host of other problematic symptoms.

Infections

Infections, including urinary tract, bladder, vaginal and dental infections, are often a hidden cause of fatigue among people with diabetes.

Infections tend to raise blood glucose to abnormal levels and induce fatigue.

The body, especially the immune system, requires significant energy and resources to fight infections.

Heart disease

Undiagnosed heart disease may cause you to grow tired after completing seemingly simple tasks.

Talk to your health care provider about a heart checkup if unexplained fatigue is getting you down.

Fibromyalgia

Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, especially in women, are common causes of life altering fatigue.  There’s no shortage of medical conditions that can cause severe fatigue.

Medications

Medications can cause a host of side effects, including medications for the treatment of diabetes, depression, pain and blood pressure.

Fatigue is a common symptom of these and other medications.  Read the label carefully, and speak with your health care provider if you experience fatigue or other unexpected side effects.

If you’re struggling with a mysterious bout of fatigue, you should begin by taking a look at the most common non-medical causes of fatigue.

A lack of quality sleep is probably the leading cause of general fatigue.

It’s important to realize that a busy and stressful schedule can overrun your mind with anxious thoughts and flood your body with adrenaline.

That’s not the way to get a good nights sleep.  It’s probably fair to say that getting enough quality sleep is more important for someone with type 2 diabetes than the average person.

Good health depends on those all-important cycles of deep sleep to heal and energize your body.

Do a little research and discover a few natural techniques to help you relax and clear your mind before going to bed.

Sleep apnea, rotating shift work, depression, digital device overload, stress, poor diet, medication side effects and getting up too many times during the night to go to the bathroom can also contribute to poor sleep.

Attempting to endure day after day of constant fatigue is really a drag on your health, so do whatever is needed to fix the problem, even if it means talking with a sleep specialist.

Fighting Fatigue

Once you realize that type 2 diabetes related fatigue is a problem, then you can begin introducing proven natural strategies to ease the burden.

The one good thing about type 2 diabetes is that your part of a caring family that stretches from shore to shore and throughout the world.

Make sure you take advantage of the medical and everyday diabetes management wisdom that is increasingly available to you and other diabetics.