Survey: Fatigue is top diabetes challenge

BOCA RATON, Fla., July 8 (UPI) -- 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.

Diabetica Research Solutions Inc. commissioned the study to identify important issues affecting lives of people with diabetes.

"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," Dr. Richard Corlin, chairman DRSI Diabetes Advisory Board, says in a statement.

"People with poorly controlled diabetes are often dehydrated and vitamin B depleted. These can be significant factors causing fatigue."

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, Corlin says in a statement.

Weight gain is a problem diabetics battle daily and may add significantly to healthcare costs, Corlin says.

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, Corlin adds.

No survey details were provided.