Fatigue the Greatest Challenge for Dealing with Diabetes

Eighty-five percent of people with diabetes say fatigue is their top challenge and it makes it difficult to get through their day, a U.S. survey indicates. Living with diabetes is a constant challenge. Chronic fatigue may be symptomatic of the disease and can make it difficult for someone with diabetes to be active enough to control weight and properly self-manage their disease. “People with poorly controlled diabetes are often dehydrated and vitamin B depleted. These can be significant factors causing fatigue,” says Richard Corlin from Diabetica Research Solutions.” Many of the survey respondents say they use sugary beverages including soda to obtain energy, and these beverages rank third on a recent Harvard School of Public Health weight-gain study behind potato chips and French fries. However, only 6 percent say they use energy drinks, perhaps because most are aware that caffeine, sugar, herbal stimulants and other ingredients may be unhealthy options for them.