Not only thirsty or urinating frequently, many people living with diabetes also face chronic exhaustion, even after getting enough sleep. This condition appears in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, directly affecting concentration, mood and quality of life.
According to Dr. Ashok Kumar Jhingan, an endocrinologist in India, fatigue in diabetic patients is closely related to how the body processes glucose, the main energy source of cells. "When glucose accumulates in the blood but cannot enter cells due to insulin deficiency or resistance, the body falls into a state of energy deprivation even though blood sugar is high," he explained. He calls this a "energy crisis" at the cellular level.
High blood sugar and nighttime disturbances
Prolonged high blood sugar also causes frequent urination, leading to dehydration. Dehydration also worsens feelings of fatigue, headache and reduced concentration. Not stopping there, blood sugar fluctuations at night also silently affect sleep quality.
If blood sugar is low between 2 am and 4 am, the body will activate a stress response, releasing hormones like adrenaline, disrupting deep sleep. Conversely, high blood sugar at night also makes patients sleep poorly. The consequence is waking up in a depressed state in the morning.
A study published in 2015 in the Industrial Psychiatry Journal showed that nearly 68% of people with diabetes reported chronic fatigue. This shows that this is not an isolated symptom.
Control fatigue by lifestyle changes
In addition to blood sugar disorders, drug side effects, sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, stress, obesity, sedentary lifestyle or cardiovascular and neurological complications also contribute to the patient's exhaustion.
According to Dr. Jhingan, the key lies in stability: maintain a high-fiber diet, increase exercise for at least 20-30 minutes each day, drink enough water, sleep on time and monitor blood sugar regularly. Managing stress with relaxation techniques or psychological counseling also helps preserve mental energy.
If lifestyle adjustments have been made but fatigue persists, patients need to be examined to rule out complications," he advised.
