Here is a very precise explanation as to why diabetics get so tired and sleepy at any time during the day:
We tend to talk much more about high blood sugar, but too low blood sugar is also a serious problem, and always zaps energy.
Initially, when the blood sugar drops too low, the brain is not getting the energy it needs, and the result is a feeling of serious fatigue, along with irritability and emotional swings due to the release of adrenal hormones.
Many people suffering from hypoglycemia experience a roller coaster effect as their blood sugar bounces from low to high to low again, with multiple episodes throughout the day.
This can contribute significantly to feelings of overall fatigue.
Each time the blood sugar drops too low, there can be a serious loss of energy. Then, because the low blood sugar causes a craving for food, many people resort to quick-fix snacks that contain substantial sugar.
This rush of glucose will temporarily raise the blood sugar but in many cases, the level goes too high and the pancreas may respond to the sudden increase by over-producing insulin. This, in turn, lowers the blood sugar too much and results in another bout of hypoglycemia symptoms.
During each of these episodes, insulin escorts tryptophan into the brain which then stimulates the creation of serotonin, the sleep chemical. This inevitably results in additional feelings of fatigue.
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