Topics: diabetes, Work from Home
Not just sleep but sugar levels also fluctuate with the unhealthy sleep pattern
It has been more than a year since the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, a pandemic.
While there are offices that have instructed people to return to work, there are those who are still playing it safe, and asking their employees to work from home before the situation improves.
While work from home has ensured we do not contract the virus (since we are staying inside), there are other complications that have risen from it. One of the main ones is sitting for several hours on end to attend meetings. This has resulted in irregular eating and sleeping habits, giving rise to further health complications.
One of the main complications that arise from this unhealthy routine is the number of cases of diabetes that have arisen due to this lifestyle. Work stress, coupled with an increase in weight - bordering on obesity - has resulted in other non-COVID-19, but equally critical concerns such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart attacks.
This increase in obesity has also resulted in obstructive sleep apnea. Even if you don’t have diabetes, having sleep apnea and not treating it at the right time can result in further complications. Sleep apnea has several comorbidities, which include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, heart failure, hypertension (high blood pressure), obesity, and in some cases even strokes. Several studies have shown how OSA results in these health conditions, and while these health conditions are treated, OSA is often ignored.
But what is OSA? Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a condition that causes over-relaxation of your throat muscles during sleep, thereby preventing your body from preventing enough oxygen to the body. In severe cases of obstructive sleep apnea, which is also known as OSA, this lack of oxygen supply can cause damage to the brain, resulting in memory issues, challenges while concentrating, and moodiness.
Of course, one of the biggest challenges is diabetes. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 7 in 10 people with type 2 diabetes also have obstructive sleep apnea.
Furthermore, the presence and severity of untreated OSA are independently associated with poor glycemic control, resulting in a higher prevalence of OSA with T2DM (by RSSDI paper).
In case you or a loved one is living with diabetes, it’s good to check for sleep apnea. You can take a Home Sleep Test or onesleeptest (a disposable/low touch device, designed especially considering the current pandemic) to determine if you have sleep apnea. Based on the results of your test, following CPAP therapy can help you regain a good night’s sleep, and have a positive impact on controlling blood sugar levels.
However, you can also take time off from your work – even 20 minutes and do some light to vigorous exercise and take a balanced diet. Your body, you must remember, is conditioned to be in a constant state of motion. Keeping it sedentary can result in several health complications, so it’s advised that you enjoy a healthy work-life balance even while working from home.
Disclaimer: The facts and information contained in this article are obtained from reputed medical research organizations and do not necessarily reflect the opinions & beliefs of ResMed. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content is for informational purposes only and because each person is so unique, please consult a healthcare professional for any medical queries.
