Diabetes fatigue is a real condition. Clinicians who work with clients who have diabetes have noted the effects that fatigue has on their clients. What is diabetes fatigue, and how can you replace fatigue with activity?

What is Diabetes Fatigue?

Researchers refer to fatigue in people who have diabetes as diabetes fatigue syndrome. It is considered to be a “multifactorial syndrome.”  Some factors related to the fatigue include a combination of medical, psychological, endocrine, lifestyle, nutritional, and diabetes-related factors.

Fatigue is a common symptom in people who have diabetes, whether or not they have their blood glucose under control. Fatigue has an impact on physical and mental functioning levels, and on quality of life. Some researchers have described fatigue among people who have diabetes as pervasive and distressing complaints.

How Can I Replace Fatigue with Activity?

Lifestyle is a factor related to diabetes fatigue. You know that you are supposed to exercise daily, but may feel too tired to exercise. Part of why you are too tired to exercise is potentially related to the fact that you have not kept up with your recommended exercise routine. The more you sit, the harder it is to exercise.

Remember that exercise does not have to be painful. Walking is one of the best ways to get your needed exercise. Come up with creative ways to get exercise into your daily routine. Get up and dance to the music.

Did you know that housework offers exercise benefits? You bend, twist and turn while picking up the dirty laundry, loading or unloading the dishwasher and sweeping and mopping the floors.

Start small and watch your activity levels increase and your fatigue decrease within a short time.