Yes, high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) often makes you feel tired, lethargic, or sleepy because your body struggles to use sugar for energy, and dehydration from frequent urination also contributes to fatigue, with severe cases potentially causing drowsiness or confusion, indicating a need for medical attention.
The simple answer is yes, high blood sugar can cause sleepiness. This blog will delve into the complex relationship between high blood sugar levels and energy, exploring why they can lead to fatigue, identifying key warning signs, and providing guidance on how to address the issue effectively.
Symptoms of hyperglycaemia include:
Physical symptoms: reduced activity, low energy, tiredness, decreased physical endurance, increased effort to do physical tasks, general weakness, heaviness, slowness or sluggishness, nonrestorative sleep, and sleepiness.
Reactive hypoglycaemia is a condition where blood glucose drops after a glucose load, and may be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to determine the association between gestational reactive hypoglycaemia (GRH) and the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes including those related to diabetes.
A high blood sugar level is above 130-140 mg/dL (7.2-7.7 mmol/L). If it's higher than 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L), then it's likely that you have gestational diabetes. If you're at high risk but your test results are normal, your doctor might test you again later in your pregnancy to make sure you still don't have it.
Common signs and symptoms of low blood glucose
Warning Signs and Symptoms
People who have diabetes often have poor sleep habits, including difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Some people with diabetes get too much sleep, while others have problems getting enough sleep.
Drinking plenty of water helps your kidneys flush out excess sugar. One study found that people who drink more water lower their risk for developing high blood sugar levels. And remember, water is the best. Sugary drinks elevate blood sugar by raising it even more.
Common symptoms include:
Hyperglycemia occurs when the level of blood glucose gets too high. Hyperglycemia can affect people of any age and can cause a range of symptoms, including excessive thirst, hunger, fatigue, and/or an urge to urinate larger amounts than usual.
Your blood sugar level rises, and your body begins to break down fat for energy. When fat is broken down for energy in the body, it produces toxic acids called ketones. Ketones accumulate in the blood and eventually spill into the urine.
How to Manage Fatigue with Diabetes
Call for an appointment with a health care provider if resting, reducing stress, eating well and drinking plenty of fluids for two or more weeks hasn't helped your fatigue.
Common Signs of Uncontrolled Diabetes
Extreme fatigue: When your body can't properly use glucose for energy, you may feel tired all the time. Blurred vision: High blood sugar can cause the lens of your eye to swell, leading to temporary vision changes.
The “three-hour rule” for rapid-acting insulin (aka "Insulin Stacking") Rapid-acting insulin begins to work about 15 minutes after injection, peaks in about 1 hour, and continues to work for 2 to 4 hours. The three-hour rule prevents “insulin stacking” and a low blood glucose (BG) or hypoglycemia.
Diabetes can make you feel very tired. This is called fatigue. It happens because high blood sugar disrupts the body's ability to use sugar for energy. Dehydration from increased urination also can leave you feeling tired.
Understanding the key diabetes symptoms
Research indicates that approximately 37–50 % of individuals with type 2 diabetes experience sleep disturbances, with the prevalence of insomnia in this group exceeding 30 %, a rate substantially higher than that observed in the general population [10,11].
Symptoms
Aim for at least eight cups of water per day and try to drink a glass of water first thing in the morning.
9 Signs Your Blood Sugar Is Too High
Level 1 (mild) hypoglycemia: Blood glucose is less than 70 mg/dL but is 54 mg/dL or higher. Level 2 (moderate) hypoglycemia: Blood glucose is less than 54 mg/dL. Level 3 (severe) hypoglycemia: A person is unable to function because of mental or physical changes due to low blood glucose.
What causes high morning blood glucose? Two main culprits prompt morning highs: the dawn phenomenon and waning insulin. A third, much rarer cause, known as the Somogyi effect, may also be to blame.