If you frequently feel weak, like you just don’t have the energy to get through the day, it’s likely due to a mix of factors.
Many people feel like they’re dragging through the day, without enough energy to get things done – or they simply don’t feel well. For others, there is sleepiness mid-afternoon, or when driving. Others simply sleep too much.
You might call this “weakness,” “lack of energy” or “fatigue.”
Either way, it’s possibly due to your diabetes. There are likely other factors at work, too. Let’s look at how diabetes affects your sense of weakness and fatigue.
- High blood sugar makes some people feel sluggish because it slows circulation in your body.
- High blood sugar causes inflammation in the body, which affects the brain – causing feelings of fatigue.
- Low blood sugar causes fatigue because your body doesn’t have enough energy. Your cells (and body) can’t work without the right fuel.
Maybe you have bad habits like sitting for long periods of time, or eating too much junk food and not getting any exercise. Your lifestyle definitely affects how weak or strong you feel.
- If you’re out of shape, and muscles aren’t very strong, you will feel weak after doing chores or any kind of exercise. You can turn that around easily with a little more regular exercise.
- If you’re not “eating right,” your body isn’t getting the nutrition to generate energy. Are you eating chips, French fries, cookies, donuts and other junk food? Switch to lean protein, vegetables and fruits, and you’ll feel a lot stronger.
You may have another medical problem causing your weakness or fatigue. Your primary care doctor can determine the root cause of your problem:
- Anemia (lack of healthy red blood cells) causes weakness and fatigue. Your body isn’t getting enough oxygen, which can make you feel weak, short of breath, dizzy.
- Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, low thyroid and other medical conditions can cause fatigue. Each has its own set of symptoms, but fatigue is tops on the list.
- Stress and depression can affect your energy level, causing fatigue.
- Medications cause fatigue, especially those prescribed for diabetes, high blood pressure, pain, depression and other health problems.
- Infections can raise blood sugar levels, causing fatigue – including bladder, urinary tract and vaginal infections. Dental infections (gum disease) also causes fatigue.
If you don’t sleep well, and wake up frequently, you certainly will feel weak and fatigued. Do you need the bathroom often during the night? Do you snore loudly? These are signs that you have another medical condition causing your sleep problems.
Pay attention to your symptoms. Take notes about how often they happen, and how you feel overall. Talk to your doctor about it.
It’s not natural to feel weak or fatigued, so make sure you find out why.
After all, your quality of life is at stake. You want to enjoy your life, and if you’re feeling tired all the time, it’s difficult to “be there” for the people you love – and the activities that bring fun to your life.