Topics: Sleep Apnea, diabetes
Do you think you had a good night’s sleep, but wake up feeling fatigued? Chances are you suffer from sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea, if untreated, can pose a massive problem. This is because individuals suffering from sleep apnea may not be breathing on several occasions during a night’s sleep. The name comes from apnea, which means without breath in Greek.
Unfortunately, feeling drowsy during the day is just a minor effect of sleep apnea. People with sleep apnea experience pauses in breathing that reduce oxygen levels in the blood, resulting in the heart working harder resulting in high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
What happens when a person suffers from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), the most common type of sleep apnea? One of the main side effects/symptoms is snoring, which is the result of not a good night’s sleep, but rather due to the soft tissues collapsing in the back of your throat, closing the airway, and halting your breathing for a few seconds. This can happen several times a night. This lack of sleep makes the body to work more, and also results in an increase in blood sugar levels, further resulting in diabetes.
The relationship between Diabetes and Obstructive Sleep Apnea is much like the chicken and egg problem. One in three adults with type 2 diabetes is prone to sleep apnea and vice-versa. Similarly, people with sleep apnea that remain untreated are at a high risk of becoming diabetics. Both sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes share one strong risk factor: obesity. Excess weight can lead to type 2 diabetes. It can also narrow the airway in the throat. That triggers sleep apnea. Other factors linked with sleep apnea include:
- Smoking
- Alcohol use
- Nasal congestion
- Hormonal changes during menopause
To treat sleep apnea, it’s vital that you know the signs. While you may not, your spouse or partner definitely will. Some of the signs include:
- Loud snoring
- Gaps in breathing during sleep
- Choking and gasping
- Falling asleep during the day
- Morning headache
- Sudden weight gain
- Uncontrolled diabetes
Treating Symptoms Also Helps Control Blood Sugar Levels
There are no medicines for sleep apnea. Milder cases may be helped by weight loss or sleeping on your side. If you have mild to severe sleep apnea, you can wear a special device to bed. The device is called a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask. It applies pressure to keep the airway open during sleep.
Treating your sleep apnea can also help control your blood sugar levels. In one study conducted by Johns Hopkins University, 25 people with type 2 diabetes used CPAP for their sleep apnea. They had reduced blood glucose levels and improved glucose control. Sleep apnea is stressful on the body. Higher levels of stress hormones could make it harder to maintain blood sugar control. So once sleep apnea is treated, it's easier to keep sugar levels in check. That's good news.
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.
