Type 2 diabetes fatigue: Fatigue and Other Signs You May Have Type 2 Diabetes
Fatigue and Other Signs You May Have Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. It affects how your body processes insulin. Unlike type 1, which has a genetic component, type 2 diabetes can be brought by lifestyle choices. Type 2 diabetes symptoms vary from person to person.
There are many symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Constantly feeling tired is a common symptom, but here are additional signs of type 2 diabetes that you should monitor.
Fatigue/Tiredness
As mentioned previously, your energy levels may decrease once you develop type 2 diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Foundation, individuals newly diagnosed with type 2 report feeling fatigued. This fatigue is a result of inadequate amounts of sugar moving from the blood into the cells.
Blood sugar levels are always high when you have type 2 diabetes, but the sugar has a difficult time entering the cells. This causes the cells to work with less efficiency because they do not have the proper amount of energy.
Because of this, a person with type 2 diabetes may feel tired all the time.
Excessive Thirstiness
People with type 2 diabetes often feel parched. This abnormal thirst is known as polydipsia and comes from too much sugar in your bloodstream. Your kidneys, a key part of the urinary system, are forced to work harder to rid your body of the extra sugar. This causes frequent urination, which is another early warning sign that you have type 2 diabetes.
When you urinate all the time, your body loses a significant amount of water. To make up for the water loss, you feel a strong need to hydrate constantly. The urine and thirst cycle can become routine until blood sugar levels reach an acceptable balance.
Blurry Vision
Blurry vision may be a sign that you have type 2 diabetes. Eye damage is one of the more common type 2 diabetes symptoms. Continuously high blood sugar levels will eventually cause water in the body to be sucked into the lens of the eye, which is an essential part of the human eye that focuses light and images into the rest of the eye.
Small blood vessels in the eye may also be damaged.
If you notice this symptom, you should see a doctor immediately. Permanent eye damage can occur if this issue is not resolved quickly.
Constant Hunger
Along with chronic thirst, people with type 2 diabetes may feel hungry all the time. When cells cannot access the sugar from the bloodstream, it causes the cells to lose energy. To build up some energy, someone with type 2 may be perpetually hungry until blood sugar levels are back to normal.
It does not matter how much or how recently you have eaten. If you have type 2 diabetes, you will often feel hungry because you are not getting enough energy from the food you have already eaten.
Your Wounds Take a Long Time to Heal
Uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause nerve cells to work less efficiently. This damage leads to subpar blood circulation, which delays the blood from reaching and healing wounds or sores.
The smallest of cuts and scrapes can take many days or even weeks to heal.
Any of these signs can indicate that you may have developed type 2 diabetes. BASS Medical Group has a team of medical professionals with years of experience diagnosing type 2 diabetes. We can provide the proper treatment to keep your blood sugar levels stable. For more information about signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes, visit our website or call us at (925) 350-4044.
Tiredness and Diabetes
Many people with diabetes will describe themselves as feeling tired, lethargic or fatigued at times.
It could be a result of stress, hard work or a lack of a decent night’s sleep but it could also be related to having too high or too low blood glucose levels.
Tiredness as a symptom of diabetes
Regular tiredness, particularly tiredness following meals, is a common symptom of diabetes.
- Read more on the symptoms of diabetes
What causes people with diabetes to be tired?
Two common reasons for tiredness or lethargy are having too high or too low blood sugar levels.
In both cases, the tiredness is the result of having an imbalance between one’s level of blood glucose and the amount or effectiveness of circulating insulin.
If you feel tired during the day, despite having slept well, it could be a result of either high or low sugar levels.
It is best to test your blood glucose levels to see whether the tiredness is indeed a result of having high or low sugar levels.
This is particularly important for people on insulin.
- Read about the recommended blood glucose levels ranges
Tiredness and high blood sugar levels
Blood glucose levels go high when there is either insufficient insulin (typically in the case of type 1 diabetes ) or the insulin is not working effectively enough (typically in type 2 diabetes).
To provide us with energy, insulin is needed to transport glucose from blood into our cells to be used for energy.
When there is not enough insulin, or the insulin isn’t working effectively, it means the sugar in our blood cannot get into our cells and therefore our cells do not receive the energy they need.
As a result, we feel tired.
Managing tiredness and high blood sugar after meals
If tiredness is accompanied by high blood glucose levels after meals, it can indicate one or more of the following:
- The carbohydrate you are eating is too quick acting for you medication to cope with
- You are eating too much carbohydrate for your medication/dosage
- Your medication/dosage is not strong enough
You should only change your medication dosage if your doctor has approved you to.
Putting on weight is a common indication that one’s insulin levels are too high. People who are overweight and experiencing tiredness as a result of high blood glucose levels may be able to combat tiredness by reducing their carbohydrate intake.
A doctor or dietitian should be able to help you with how to reduce your blood glucose levels whilst achieving a healthy weight.
Tiredness and hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels)
When blood glucose levels are low the body is in a similar position as a car that has run out of fuel; unless you are able to add more fuel, the car will quickly come to a juddering halt.
Similarly, when blood glucose levels are low, you need to take in more carbohydrate to provide your body with the energy your body needs.
If you are regularly experiencing low blood sugar levels, your dosage of medication may be too high.
For people on insulin, hypoglycemia can also occur if insulin is injected (or bolused) too soon before eating.
Tiredness upon waking
If tiredness occurs upon waking after a full night’s sleep, it can also be a result of too high or to low blood sugar levels overnight.
Tiredness accompanied by a headache in the morning can often be a sign of an overnight hypo in people taking insulin.
Managing morning tiredness
If you are regularly feeling tired in the morning, despite having had a full night’s sleep, it’s worth testing your blood sugar upon waking to see if your tiredness is related to your blood glucose
Some people may also wish to wake during the night to test their blood glucose levels to see if they’re experiencing high or low blood sugar overnight.
Blood sugar levels can fluctuate overnight and your doctor or diabetes specialist should be able to advise if your sugar levels are causing any problems.
what is it, symptoms, diagnosis, complications
Diabetes mellitus: what is it, symptoms, diagnosis, complications
What is diabetes
Symptoms
Consequences
Diagnostics
CHECK YOURSELF
Constant fatigue that does not go away even after recovery
sleep and wake patterns is
an alarming symptom of certain diseases, including type 2 diabetes. Constant
fatigue
reduces the activity and performance of a person, worsening his well-being.
Finally, constant fatigue and weakness accompany
dysfunction of the kidneys.
CHECK YOURSELF
Diabetes mellitus in Russia
What is diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is a group of diseases that occur for various reasons, but
its main symptom is an increase in the level of glucose – or sugar – in the blood.
When there is a lack of insulin, glucose cannot enter the cell,
due to which its level in the blood rises. Most likely it is diabetes.
Without insulin, our cells cannot use glucose for themselves.
energy, glucose remains in the blood, where it circulates in excess and can cause serious
complications.
Why it is impossible to live with diabetes without treatment
The longer elevated blood glucose levels persist without proper treatment of the disease, the
more complications develop.
Some of these may be life threatening4.
Blindness5
– partial loss of vision or total blindness
Leg amputation6
– lower extremity involvement
– pain when walking
– gangrene and resulting amputation 900 03
Heart attack7
– atherosclerosis
– ischemic disease
– angina pectoris and heart attack
Stroke8
– impairment of attention, thinking and speech
– cerebrovascular insufficiency
– High risk of cerebral stroke
Kidney failure9
– Kidney transplant
Damage to the nervous system10
– Pain and numbness of the limbs
– Problems with the digestive system, blood vessels, heart
900 02 Blindness5
– partial loss of vision or complete blindness
Leg amputation6
– lower extremity involvement
– pain when walking
– gangrene and resulting amputation
Heart attack7
– Atherosclerosis
– Ischemic disease
– Angina pectoris and heart attack
Stroke8
– Impairment of attention, thinking and speech
– Brain failure blood circulation
– high risk of cerebral stroke
Renal failure9
– kidney transplant
Damage to the nervous system10
– pain and numbness of the limbs
– problems with the digestive system, blood vessels, heart
All these complications can be avoided by consulting a doctor in time!
BOOK A DOCTOR
The main symptoms of type 2 diabetes11
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) outlines the main
type 2 diabetes symptoms
Frequent urination
Frequent urination11
This symptom may be a sign of diabetes.
If you notice the appearance of frequent and profuse urination, this is an occasion to visit
endocrinologist for diagnosis.
The normal daily volume of urine of a healthy person is 1.5-2 liters.
Polyuria – excretion of more than 2-3 liters of urine per day. At the same time, the frequency also increases.
urination, and one-time volume of urine.
Other possible causes include: taking diuretics, taking
large amounts of water or alcohol intake, as well as liquids containing caffeine, including
number of energy drinks.
Fact
In diabetes, the volume of urine can be up to 10
liters per day. If profuse urination continues for a long time and the cause
its unclear, you should consult a doctor1.
Fact
In diabetes, the volume of urine can be up to 10
liters per day. If profuse urination continues for a long time and the cause
its unclear, you should consult a doctor1.
Blurry vision
Blurry vision11
What causes blurry or fuzzy vision? This could be one of
symptoms of diabetes.
Symptoms of visual impairment in diabetes mellitus may include:
• gradual deterioration of vision;
• sudden loss of vision;
• spots, threads, or other obscurations that float in your field of vision;
• blurry or spotty vision;
• pain in the eyes.
Most often, in diabetes mellitus, the vessels of the retina are affected, which is called
diabetic retinopathy.
It is also possible to develop glaucoma and other vision pathologies.
Fact
The prevalence of retinopathy in diabetes is 20.8% and increases with
disease progression.
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of new cases of blindness among
adults aged 20-74 in developed countries15.
Fact
The prevalence of retinopathy in diabetes is 20.8% and increases with
disease progression.
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of new cases of blindness among
adults aged 20-74 in developed countries15.
Intense thirst
Intense thirst11
Thirst is an alarming symptom that should not be ignored.
When developing diabetes, a person who is thirsty drinks from 2 to 6 liters (10-30 glasses)
liquids per day. One of the constant companions of the symptom of thirst is severe dryness.
in the mouth.
If you experience persistent thirst, including at night,
or you have other possible manifestations of diabetes, make an appointment with your doctor
to rule out diabetes.
Fact
Some diabetic patients
can drink 10 or more liters of fluid per day.
Fact
Some diabetic patients
can drink 10 or more liters of fluid per day.
Slow wound healing
Slow wound healing11
If you began to notice long-term non-healing wounds, scratches, sores, do not
ignore this symptom.
There can be several reasons, and one of them is the manifestations of diabetes mellitus. for a long time
non-healing wounds can become part of the so-called diabetic foot syndrome.
Fact
Non-healing wounds in advanced cases
cause gangrene and amputation. That is why it is so important to turn
attention to the symptom and consult a specialist.
Fact
Non-healing wounds in advanced cases
cause gangrene and amputation. That is why it is so important to turn
attention to the symptom and consult a specialist.
Permanent fatigue
Permanent fatigue11
In diabetes mellitus, the following situation arises: glucose seems to be enough, and tissues
the whole body experience starvation.
Insulin deficiency and development of resistance
cell receptors to it leads to the fact that glucose is not supplied in the proper
tissue concentration.
The result of these disorders is that the body does not have enough energy to
maintaining all vital processes at the required level. Which leads to
the onset and progression of fatigue.
Numbness, pain in limbs
Numbness, pain in limbs11
In a situation where there is a loss of sensation or numbness of the limbs, it is important
remember that the likely cause of this may be diabetes mellitus.
One of the serious and most common complications of diabetes is
diabetic polyneuropathy (hereinafter referred to as DPN).
One third of all complications of diabetes occur in
share of DPN. And after 25 years from the onset of the disease, DPN affects already 50% of all those with poor
diabetes compensation.
Sometimes people with DPN become patients in burn centers. Due to malnutrition of tissues
they feel cold and try to warm their feet in every way. They are on the move
heaters, heaters. As a result of decreased sensitivity in DPN, there is no
normal reaction to thermal stimuli. The person does not notice how
burn. It is recommended to warm the feet only with warm socks.
Fact
When glucose is normalized and maintained at
normal level, the development of polyneuropathy may stop. That’s why timing is so important.
identify diabetes mellitus and start treatment13.
Fact
When glucose is normalized and maintained at
normal level, the development of polyneuropathy may stop. That’s why timing is so important.
identify diabetes mellitus and start treatment13.
Persistent hunger
Persistent hunger11
Most people love to eat, and therefore the feeling of constant hunger rarely causes
think about whether everything is in order with health.
How to distinguish hunger caused by some disease from normal physiological?
The physiological feeling of hunger stops after a normal meal.
Hunger due to disease is uncontrollable
food intake and rapid, excessive food intake.
Constant hunger can be a symptom of diabetes, so take care
him as seriously as possible.
Fact
If you often feel persistent,
persistent hunger after a normal meal or other symptoms of sugar
diabetes, see your doctor.
Fact
If you often feel persistent,
persistent hunger after a normal meal or other symptoms of sugar
diabetes, see your doctor.
Unexplained weight loss
Unexplained weight loss11
The body weight of an adult in the absence of pathology is a value relative to
constant.
But if you notice that within a few months you have inexplicably begun to lose weight without
increased physical activity or special diets,
then such weight loss should not be rejoiced.
One of the common causes of unintentional
weight loss in a few months by 5% of the initial body weight or more,
could be type 2 diabetes. The consequences of this are dangerous and fraught with development
ketoacidosis, malnutrition, and muscle atrophy with loss of muscle tone and the possibility
move fully.
To prevent this, you need to see a doctor.
Early diagnosis is the key to diabetes control4
Dizziness
Dry mucous membranes
Itching and dry skin, brittle nails
Nausea, vomiting
Itching in the genital area
Dizziness
Dryness of mucous membranes
Itching and dry skin, brittle nails
Nausea, vomiting
Itching in the genital area
Dizziness
Dryness of mucous membranes
Itching and dry skin, brittle nails
Nausea, vomiting
Itching in the genital area
However, not all people have these symptoms pronounced, so they remain
unnoticed and lead to late
diagnosis and treatment of diabetes1
If you have at least one of the symptoms, get a diagnosis
BOOK A DOCTOR
Do you know your blood glucose level?
In most cases, the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is made only after 4-7 years from
disease onset 16
Disease progression without diagnosis
living with elevated blood glucose levels.
Without proper treatment
this leads to the development of complications of diabetes.
Complications can be prevented by early detection and
adherence to recommendations for keeping blood glucose under control
Risk factors17
Those at risk of developing type 2 diabetes should monitor their blood glucose levels.
These include those who:
physically inactive
suffer from cardiovascular diseases
suffer from arterial hypertension
overweight or obese people
have relatives with diabetes mellitus
have vision problems
90 002 had gestational diabetes during pregnancy
women who gave birth to a child weighing more than 4 kg
men and women over 45
have high cholesterol
Show more
Have you noticed these symptoms in yourself?
Frequent urination
Blurry vision
Extreme thirst
Prolonged healing of wounds
Constant fatigue walking hunger
unexplained weight loss
Please note that you have highlighted 0 symptoms out of 8
basic.
This is a serious reason to consult a specialist.
Make an appointment with a doctor
You can take a detailed test for the presence of risk factors for diabetes you can
Here
Sources
1
Diabetes.co.uk [Electronic resource]: [website]. – Electron. Dan. –
Access mode: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/. – Zagl. from the screen.
2
Ivan I. Dedov, Marina V. Shestakova, Olga K. Vikulova. Epidemiology
of diabetes mellitus in Russian Federation: clinical and statistical report according to the
federal diabetes registry. Diabetes mellitus. 2017;20(1):13
3
Russian News Agency [Electronic resource] : Elektron.
article // Expert: the incidence of diabetes in the Russian Federation overtakes the growth of obesity //
http://tass.ru/obschestvo/4258790
4
Dedov I.
I. Diabetes mellitus / Dedov I.I., Shestakova M.V. – Moscow:
Universum Publishing, 2003
5
Diabetic retinopathy [Electronic resource]: [Website] – Electronic data. –
Access mode: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetic-retinopathy/. – Zagl. from the screen (Last
accessed: 01.12.2017)
6
Peripheral Artery Disease & Diabetes [Electronic resource]: [Website] –
Electronic data – Mode of access: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/Diabetes/WhyDi
abetesMatters/Peripheral-Artery-Disease Diabetes_UCM_313866_Article.jsp#.Wh–_W997IU. – Zagl. With
screen (Last access: 12/01/2017)
7
British Heart Foundation [Electronic resource]: [Website] –
Electronic data – Mode of access: https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/risk-factors/diabetes. –
Title from the screen (Last access: 12/01/2017)
8
Demidova T.
Yu. Vascular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus
edge of glycemic control. Diabetes mellitus, 3/2010: pp. 111-116
9
National Kidney Foundation [Electronic resource]: [Website] –
Electronic data – Access mode: https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/diabetes. – Zagl. from the screen
(Last access: 12/01/2017)
10
Mayoclinic [Electronic resource]: [Website] – Electronic data. – Mode
Access: https://www.mayoclinic.org – Chap. from the screen (Last access: 12/01/2017)
11
American Diabetes Association [Electronic resource]: [website]. –
Electron. Dan. – Access mode: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/symptoms/ – Head. With
screen. (Last accessed: 11/24/2017)
12
Bregovskiy V.B., Khramilin V.N., Demidova I.Yu., Strokov I.A., Guryeva
I.V. Diabetic distal polyneuropathy review of current guidelines.
Annals of Clinical
and Experimental Neurology, Vol. 9, No. 1-2015, p.60-68
13
Diabetic polyneuropathy. Overview of modern
recommendations. RMZH No. 32 dated 11/27/2012 p. 1580
14
O.V. Maslova, Yu.I. Suntsov, L.L. Bolotskaya, T.M. Dear, V.K.
Alexandrova. Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and cataracts in adults
diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2. / Diabetes mellitus, No. 3, 2008, p.12-15
15
Sharon DS, Emily C, Elia JD et al. Diabetic Retinopathy: A Position
Statement by the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care 2017 Mar; 40(3): 412-418.
https://doi.org/10.2337/dc16-2641
16
Maureen IH, Ronald K, Tim AW, Matthew WK. Onset of NIDDM occurs at
Least 4–7 yr Before Clinical Diagnosis. Diabetes Care 1992 Jul; 15(7): 815-
819.https://doi.org/10.2337/diacare.15.7.
815
17
Diabetes School [Electronic resource]: [website]. – Electron. Dan. –
Access mode: https://shkoladiabeta.ru/diabet/factors/. – Zagl. from the screen.
SARU.DIA.18.05.0884
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The Ten Early Signs of Diabetes
Because the symptoms of diabetes can go unnoticed for a long time, it is called the silent killer. Detection of the disease at an early stage and timely treatment started help prevent numerous severe complications that may be associated with damage to the nervous system, kidneys, eyes, disorders in the peripheral blood supply, as well as complications during pregnancy.
Do not forget about the prevention of diabetes, which involves, in particular, lifestyle changes. You should stop smoking, do not forget about physical activity, and a balanced healthy diet is also necessary. Here are ten of the top early signs of diabetes to watch out for.
№1 Excessive, frequent urination
One of the earliest symptoms of diabetes is polyuria.
If you notice frequent urination and a significant increase in urine volume (especially at night), this is a serious signal to contact a general practitioner or endocrinologist.
The amount of glucose in the blood increases due to slower absorption. As a result, the work of the kidneys is enhanced and they “try” to excrete excess glucose into the urine. Water, instead of being absorbed by the body, is strongly excreted from it.
No. 2 Thirst
If you constantly experience a feeling of thirst that is not quenched by water, consult a doctor without delay!
Frequent urination leads to significant fluid loss in the body.
Please note that when you quench your thirst with sweet drinks, the blood sugar level rises, and, consequently, thirst increases.
№3 Insatiable hunger
Due to disturbed metabolic processes in the body, a person may constantly experience a feeling of hunger, as the cells stop absorbing glucose, which is the “fuel” for the cells.
The body has to look for alternative sources of energy. At the same time, even the consumption of a large amount of food is not able to saturate a person. He fails to satisfy his hunger, because overeating further increases blood sugar levels.
In such a situation, the visit to the endocrinologist should not be postponed.
№4 Recurrent infection
It turned out that a person, with a high level of sugar, becomes especially susceptible to infections of various kinds. Most often it can be skin diseases and diseases of the urogenital area.
If you have recurring inflammatory diseases, you need to have your glucose tested.
№5 Long-term healing wounds
High glucose levels lead to constriction of blood vessels and thickening of artery walls, which impairs blood supply to tissues, their saturation with oxygen and nutrients. As a result, the body takes longer to heal cuts, wounds, and even ordinary scratches.
№6 Unexplained weight loss or gain
Both excess weight and weight loss without specific reasons can also be signs of developing diabetes.
Weight loss in this case will be due either to the inability to absorb glucose, or excessive loss of water due to frequent urination. The body compensates for the lack of insulin with the protein contained in the muscles. As a rule, in such a situation, people lose weight dramatically. Weight gain also occurs due to insulin resistance.
№7 Stinging, burning, numbness
Similar sensory disturbances also occur in diabetes mellitus. The fact is that the deterioration of blood supply leads to a change in the conductivity of nerve impulses, which in the future can cause dangerous damage to the nervous system, for example, peripheral diabetic neuropathy.
№8 Muscle weakness and chronic fatigue
One of the most common symptoms of diabetes is chronic fatigue. The failure of insulin to “deliver” glucose to cells, which excludes it from energy metabolism and the body does not receive the calories it needs in the right amount.
In addition, insufficient blood circulation deprives the cells of a complete set of nutrients and oxygen. The result is constant weakness and fatigue even with a normal amount of sleep.
№9 Dry skin and itching
Increased blood glucose level provokes dysfunction of the sweat and sebaceous glands. Human skin becomes sensitive and dry. Due to the reduction of the protective barrier of the skin, toxins, allergens and infections easily penetrate the skin. In most cases, itching is the result of dry skin or a fungal infection. In some cases, dark spots appear on the skin, with diabetes (in the armpits, on the neck and in the groin area).
If you regularly experience burning or itching in various parts of the body, as well as dry skin (despite moisturizing), you need to consult a specialist.