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What Causes Fatigue When Suffering From Diabetes And Anxiety?

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Posted on Tue, 9 Dec 2014
Question: Dear doctor. Hope you are well?

I am a overweight make who has tupe 2 diabetes.
For the last 1 week i have been feelinh weak and tired.

Not sleepy just weakness.

I do suffer from anxiety and panic attacks.

I also started to kind of clench my teeth.

Not sure if this a bout of depression or anxiety?

Please reassure me.

Inhad blood tests done last month and they seemed ok.

I was sneezing alot before this started.

Look forward to you expert opinion.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (44 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Try relaxation exercises

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from Health Care Magic

I have read your question in detail and I can understand your problem. You have medical issues like Diabetes mellitus type 2 and increased weight. You have history of anxiety and panic attacks. Just recently you have started feeling weak and tired. Blood tests came normal.

Before discussing the management I would like to know few thing-

- Low haemoglobin levels can caused symptoms of weakness and tiredness. Even tests came normal, I would like to know if your haemoglobin was in normal range?

- Second thing I would suggest you to get your B12 levels done. Usually this investigation is ignored but in most of patients with complaints of anxiety, tiredness, weakness levels of B12 come in lower ranges.

Tiredness and weakness could occur due to anxiety and depression. History of diabetes and overweight increase the risk further. But from these two symptoms we can't make sure diagnosis still mild depression may present with such symptoms only. I would like to know if you are having symptoms like disturbed sleep, non-refreshing sleep, lack of interest in day to day routine, anhedonia etc. If some of these symptoms are there then we can make diagnosis of depression.

In most cases there is no need for medicinal treatment. Usually mild anxiety and depression improve by use of relaxation exercises. Some times change in weather make one tired and these symptoms improve with acclimatisation to changed weather.

I would advise you to exercise daily for at least half hour. Exercise will result in release of endorphins and will improve your mood and alertness. This will also help in diabetes and in decreasing weight.

Yoga and meditation daily will result in improvement of symptoms even in a week. These methods result in relaxation and decrease anxiety. With time the symptomatic improvement will occur.

If you are using alcohol or any other psychoactive substance then stop using it.

Have good sleep for at least 7 hours a day. This will help in maintaing activity.

Start taking Vitamin B12 and Omega 3 Fatty Acid supplements. This will help in improving depressive symptoms.

Take diets rich in proteins and carbohydrates and low in fat. Such diets help to improve symptoms of tiredness and depression.

Maintain your sugar levels in normal range. Get your HbA1c levels checked as this will tell long term control of sugar levels. Alter levels may become evidence of poor control. Abnormal sugar levels may potentiate such symptoms.

Try these methods and change your lifestyle. Try to loose weight and you will be ok.

I hope I solved your doubts, I will be happy to answer if you have more doubts.

Thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (22 minutes later)
Brilliant.

So nothing serious?

Really worried.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (3 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No need to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

Just tiredness and weakness without any other symptoms could not make a condition serious. You have mentioned that all tests came normal so high risk is practically ruled out. Still follow the measures I have mentioned and you will see improvement in a week or two.


Thanks, do ask again if you have more unresolved doubts.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (44 minutes later)
Thanks doctor. My hemoglobin was absolutely normal.

Forgot to mention i do also feel a little nasuea but no apparent loss of appetite.

Just really on edge with weakness.

I do experince a little dizzyness.

And some pain behind eyes.

Probably sinus issue?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (8 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Anxiety

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

Haemoglobin was normal so we can rule out anaemia as cause of fatigue and tiredness.

Slight or mild nausea could occur due to anxiety also. If there is no vomiting then there is no need to fear for that. In the same way dizziness is also seen in anxiety.

We can't ascertain any sinus problem with symptoms like pain behind eyes or dizziness. Sinusitis may present with giddiness but other common symptoms like blockage of nose, post nasal drip, running nose etc symptoms are more common than tiredness alone. Still if you have doubts or insecurity then you can take steam inhalations for at least 10 minutes twice a day. This will help to remove any secretions in nose.

Thanks, hope this helps you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (23 hours later)
Hindoctor.

A quick update:

The weakness starts around 4pm onwards.

More like brain tiredness.

And a sickness type of feeling.

I am obvioulsy eating less to lose weight.

No headache.

Had a un refreshing sleep. Around 5 hours.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (43 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Just ignore this

Detailed Answer:
Hello again, hope you are doing well

Tiredness and weakness started as day progressed, to some extent this is normal and we can ignore it.

As per my opinion have at least three meals a day and don't reduce your calorie intake but try to loose weight by exercise. Take foods low in fat and rich in proteins. Vitamin B12, C supplements will have added benefits.

Thanks, you can ask again I will be happy to help you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)
Doctor you are fantastic and you will get a very high rating.

I keep thinking its cancer or something?

I am just feeling really run down.

Not sure if this is delression ir anxiety.

I feel alot better when i lie down or sit down somehwere.

Worst when in crowds and when walking.

doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No need to worry

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

A lot of individuals with anxiety disorders have fear of getting some serious illness like cancer you have mentioned. This is related to health anxiety or hypochondriasis. You have also mentioned that the symptoms aggravate in crowds or while you are talking and decrease on relaxing like on lying down. This itself point us to anxiety and nothing serious. Best treatment of health anxiety is reassurance. There is no need to fear and please continue to do your work normally. The anxiety will go by own in some time.

Thanks, hope this helps you.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 5192 Questions

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What Causes Fatigue When Suffering From Diabetes And Anxiety?

Brief Answer: Try relaxation exercises Detailed Answer: Hello thanks for asking from Health Care Magic I have read your question in detail and I can understand your problem. You have medical issues like Diabetes mellitus type 2 and increased weight. You have history of anxiety and panic attacks. Just recently you have started feeling weak and tired. Blood tests came normal. Before discussing the management I would like to know few thing- - Low haemoglobin levels can caused symptoms of weakness and tiredness. Even tests came normal, I would like to know if your haemoglobin was in normal range? - Second thing I would suggest you to get your B12 levels done. Usually this investigation is ignored but in most of patients with complaints of anxiety, tiredness, weakness levels of B12 come in lower ranges. Tiredness and weakness could occur due to anxiety and depression. History of diabetes and overweight increase the risk further. But from these two symptoms we can't make sure diagnosis still mild depression may present with such symptoms only. I would like to know if you are having symptoms like disturbed sleep, non-refreshing sleep, lack of interest in day to day routine, anhedonia etc. If some of these symptoms are there then we can make diagnosis of depression. In most cases there is no need for medicinal treatment. Usually mild anxiety and depression improve by use of relaxation exercises. Some times change in weather make one tired and these symptoms improve with acclimatisation to changed weather. I would advise you to exercise daily for at least half hour. Exercise will result in release of endorphins and will improve your mood and alertness. This will also help in diabetes and in decreasing weight. Yoga and meditation daily will result in improvement of symptoms even in a week. These methods result in relaxation and decrease anxiety. With time the symptomatic improvement will occur. If you are using alcohol or any other psychoactive substance then stop using it. Have good sleep for at least 7 hours a day. This will help in maintaing activity. Start taking Vitamin B12 and Omega 3 Fatty Acid supplements. This will help in improving depressive symptoms. Take diets rich in proteins and carbohydrates and low in fat. Such diets help to improve symptoms of tiredness and depression. Maintain your sugar levels in normal range. Get your HbA1c levels checked as this will tell long term control of sugar levels. Alter levels may become evidence of poor control. Abnormal sugar levels may potentiate such symptoms. Try these methods and change your lifestyle. Try to loose weight and you will be ok. I hope I solved your doubts, I will be happy to answer if you have more doubts. Thanks