Does High Blood Sugar Make You Sleepy? Signs, Causes & Tips

If you’re living with diabetes, managing your blood sugar is crucial. When blood sugar is not managed properly, the sugar stays in your bloodstream and, in the long run, can cause severe side effects. An important but often overlooked side effect of high blood sugar is fatigue or sleepiness. If you’re wondering, “Does high blood sugar make you sleepy?” the answer is yes. People who experience high blood sugar often have disrupted sleep at night and thus are usually sleepy during the day.

Here we have explained the relationship between hyperglycemia and tiredness, explored the symptoms and impacts of high blood sugar, and provided tips on managing it naturally. Remember, early diagnosis and proper care can help you live a healthy life even with diabetes. This proper care here is a multi-dimensional care that includes regular sugar monitoring, balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and the one usually not taken care of – stress levels.

What is High Blood Sugar?

Before we dive deeper into how high blood sugar makes you sleepy, let’s first break down what blood sugar is.
Blood sugar (or glucose) is the main source of energy for your cells. It comes from the food you eat, especially carbohydrates, and is transported via the bloodstream to cells throughout your body. For most people, blood sugar levels are regulated by a hormone called insulin, which helps move glucose from the blood into the cells where it’s used for energy.
However, in people with diabetes, either the body doesn’t produce enough insulin (in Type 1) or the body can’t effectively use the insulin it produces (in Type 2). As a result, blood sugar levels rise to unhealthy levels, causing symptoms like fatigue and drowsiness.

Normal, Pre-diabetic, and Diabetic Sugar Levels:

High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) occurs when your glucose levels are higher than the normal range. In general:

• Normal blood sugar is about 70–99 mg/dL when fasting and less than 140 mg/dL in random.
• Pre-diabetes is 100–125 mg/dL when fasting.
• Diabetes is diagnosed when fasting blood sugar is consistently 126 mg/dL or higher.

When blood sugar levels rise above these thresholds, your body experiences a range of symptoms, including sleepiness.

How High Blood Sugar Makes You Sleepy

When blood sugar is high, several factors can contribute to fatigue and sleepiness:

1. Impaired Insulin Function: High blood sugar can indicate that your body isn’t using insulin properly. This means that your cells are not getting enough glucose, leaving you feeling tired and sluggish.
2. Increased Thirst and Frequent Urination: High blood sugar causes your kidneys to work harder to filter the excess glucose, leading to frequent urination. This can lead to dehydration, a common cause of tiredness.
3. Nutrient Deficiency: When your body can’t use glucose efficiently, it can also struggle to absorb nutrients properly. This can lead to energy depletion and feelings of fatigue.
4. Inflammation: Chronic high blood sugar can cause inflammation in the body, leading to fatigue as your body expends energy dealing with this issue.

Worst Signs and Impacts of High Blood Sugar

If you don’t manage your blood sugar levels well, the consequences go beyond sleepiness. The following are some symptoms of high blood sugar that can lead to severe symptoms and long-term complications:

Sign or Impact	Description
Fatigue	Constant tiredness, especially after meals or physical activity.
Blurred Vision	High blood sugar can damage blood vessels in the eyes, leading to blurry vision.
Frequent Urination	Due to excess glucose in the blood, kidneys try to filter it out, causing more frequent trips to the bathroom.
Increased Thirst	Dehydration due to frequent urination leads to a constant feeling of thirst.
Slow Healing of Wounds	High blood sugar can impair the body’s ability to heal itself.
Nerve Damage (Neuropathy)	Long-term high blood sugar can lead to nerve damage, causing pain or numbness, especially in the hands and feet.
Heart Disease	Over time, high blood sugar can lead to cardiovascular problems and even a heart attack or stroke.
Kidney Damage (Nephropathy)	Chronic high blood sugar can damage kidney function, leading to kidney disease.

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Can Diet and Routine Help Manage High Blood Sugar?

Blood glucose levels and energy are closely linked because glucose is the main source of our energy; however, diabetic people with diabetes have a hard time breaking it down. Thus, consuming carbs (primary source of glucose) for glucose is not a good option for diabetic people, nonetheless, the good news is that you can maintain energy levels by consuming a balanced meal with good fats, protein, fiber, and some other essential nutrients. Here are some effective ways to help keep your blood sugar levels in check and avoid sleepiness:

1. Diet

• Eat Balanced Meals: Include a variety of whole foods such as lean proteins, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats. Focus on low-glycemic foods that don’t spike your blood sugar quickly.
• Limit Processed Foods: Sugary snacks, sodas, and processed carbs can lead to sharp spikes in blood sugar, leading to a crash that causes fatigue.
• Fiber-Rich Foods: Foods high in fiber, like whole grains (limited), beans, and vegetables, help slow glucose absorption, keeping your energy steady.

For a convenient and blood-sugar-friendly meal option, explore our guide on protein shakes for diabetics with type 2 diabetes.

2. Exercise

• Regular physical activity helps your cells become more sensitive to insulin, making it easier for your body to regulate blood sugar.
• Even simple activities like walking or light aerobic exercises can significantly reduce blood sugar levels.

Endocrinologists report that just 30 minutes of moderate exercise, 5 days a week, can significantly improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood glucose levels, aiding in diabetes management.

3. Sleep Hygiene

• High blood sugar can impact your sleep quality. Creating a bedtime routine that promotes restful sleep is essential for energy and recovery. Understanding your sleep quality is essential—learn more about what is core sleep and how it affects your overall health

4. Stress Management

• Stress hormones can cause blood sugar spikes. Practices like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing can reduce stress and help stabilize blood sugar levels.

Table: Managing Healthy Blood Sugar Naturally

Tip	How It Helps
Eat Small, Balanced Meals	Helps maintain steady blood sugar levels throughout the day.
Incorporate Fiber	Slows glucose absorption and reduces blood sugar spikes.
Exercise Regularly	Improves insulin sensitivity and lowers blood sugar levels.
Stay Hydrated	Helps kidneys manage glucose and prevents dehydration, reducing fatigue.
Prioritize Sleep	Proper rest helps regulate cortisol and blood sugar levels.
Monitor Blood Sugar Levels	Regular testing helps catch blood sugar fluctuations early.

Does Low Blood Sugar Make You Sleepier Than High Blood Sugar?

Both high and low blood sugar can lead to tiredness, but low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can make you feel even more immediately sleepy. When your blood sugar dips too low, your body doesn’t have enough energy to function properly, leading to intense fatigue, dizziness, and drowsiness. Common signs of low blood sugar include:

• Shaking
• Sweating
• Confusion
• Extreme tiredness

In comparison, high blood sugar leads to fatigue over a longer period, while low blood sugar can cause more sudden, intense feelings of sleepiness or weakness.

Still pricking fingers to check sugar levels?

Continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGM systems), such as Freestyle Libre 2 Plus sensors, monitor your blood sugar 24/7 without needing to prick your fingers.

Conclusion

Blood sugar and tiredness are connected, and managing blood sugar is crucial for avoiding it. While high blood sugar can certainly make you feel sleepy, maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and following a routine can help you manage your levels and keep your energy levels stable. By keeping track of your blood sugar, making mindful food choices, and taking care of your overall health, you can feel more energised and in control of your diabetes.

Disclaimer: This blog is only for informational purposes. Always consult a healthcare expert before taking any medical action.