Millions of Americans are diagnosed as prediabetic each year, and with it comes tons of advice from doctors, loved ones, and of course, the internet. Amidst the repeated calls for people to improve their diet and lose weight, one suggestion is often overlooked: getting better sleep. For prediabetics, particularly those with sleep apnea, it could be the lynchpin for all the other changes that get more attention.
Sleep & Prediabetes
Many factors can cause someone to develop prediabetes and ultimately diabetes. Of course, being overweight and consuming a diet rich in carbs and sugar are two leading influences. However, sleep plays a big role as well.
Sleep is essential to every process in the body, as it gives each system a chance to rest and reset to keep us healthy and functional. This includes regulating someone’s metabolism and ability to maintain a normal blood sugar level through insulin.
In study after study, people who consistently get less than eight hours of sleep each night or have been diagnosed with sleep apnea have a lower ability to maintain a healthy blood sugar level. This is true even when other factors like weight, diet, genetics, gender, and several others are accounted for. Because sleep apnea prevents someone from getting the deep sleep they need night after night, it can make things much worse for those who are already prediabetic.
What is Sleep Apnea?
When someone has sleep apnea, they briefly but frequently stop breathing throughout the night. These episodes force the body to “reset” to begin normal respiration, meaning the sleep cycle is constantly being interrupted. This stops the body from reaching the deeper stages, which is very stressful and can cause problems with blood sugar regulation. As a result, people with sleep apnea always feel sleep deprived and may experience morning headaches, sore throats, memory issues, and mood swings.
How Sleep Apnea Can Lead to Diabetes
Beyond someone’s blood sugar, the exhaustion from sleep apnea can also cause someone to have a bigger appetite while also lacking the energy to exercise. As you can imagine, both of these factors contribute to obesity, which is a leading preventable cause of diabetes.
While losing weight and improving one’s diet is helpful advice for prediabetics, it’s easier said than done for people with sleep apnea who are tired all the time. That’s why it’s so important for those who suspect they have the condition to get screened and receive professional treatment.
When their sleep is under control, a person’s body will be better able to regulate blood sugar, plus they’ll have much more willpower to exercise and avoid the foods that can make prediabetes worse. Starting with sleep, they can not only avoid diabetes in many cases, but stop being prediabetic as well, all while feeling more energized and rested every day.
About the Author
Dr. Jeff Rodgers is an expert in sleep dentistry who has been practicing for over 20 years. He earned his dental doctorate at the University of Alabama School of Dentistry and began taking advanced courses in sleep dentistry to master the use of oral appliances and other treatment options to help his patients overcome both sleep apnea and snoring. Call (770) 394-4310 to schedule a sleep apnea consultation at Sleep Better Georgia or visit the website to learn more.