Sleep Apnea and its relation with Diabetes

You might be taking great pains to control your sugar level, but if you are not sleeping well, your Diabetes problem is going to be a hard nut to crack. There is ample research to prove that the presence of sleep apnea could be an early warning signal that type 2 diabetes (T2D) is developing.

Research says that 40% of people who have obstructive sleep apnea will develop diabetes. In people who are already diagnosed with diabetes, the prevalence of OSA is 23%-86% and the incidence of having some form of sleep disordered breathing is 58%.

Why are people with sleep apnea at risk for developing diabetes?

People with sleep apnea have disturbed sleep patterns. They wake up multiple times during the night to visit washroom or drink water. They also experience frequent pauses in breathing, which are interrupted by snorts and wake up feeling tired and lethargic. Over time these individuals develop poor metabolism, because hormones such as leptin, which are responsible for controlling appetite and digesting carbohydrates, are affected.

As a result, when the person is awake, he may reach for high sugar foods and refined carbohydrate products to get a burst of energy. Hence an addiction to tea/coffee, sweets and carbonated drinks may develop. Low leptin levels also increase cravings irrespective of how much the person has eaten. This increases the chances of a person becoming overweight and later, obese.

Obesity is a precursor to diabetes. Hence, sleep apnea is termed as the "silent epidemic" because its presence can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes.

Treatment for Sleep Apnea

If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend any of the following:

• Lifestyle changes which promote weight loss;
• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)- This breathing apparatus has mask which is worn over the face. A tube continuously pumps air gently into the patient’s mouth, preventing his or her airways from collapsing.
• Oral breathing devices which help keep the airways open at night, such as nasal dilators, if it’s Mild Sleep Apnea.
• Surgery is recommended as a last resort if there is a structural problem with your throat.

Some preventative measures that can help individuals from developing sleep apnea include:

• Eating sensibly and maintaining a healthy body weight by exercising
• Quit smoking
• Avoid using alcohol

How can treating sleep apnea with CPAP improve the symptoms of diabetes?

An effective treatment plan for sleep apnea can improve many symptoms of diabetes such as high blood sugar levels, obesity, increased appetite and insulin resistance. When sleep apnea is treated using CPAP, the person will be able to achieve a night of sound sleep. This will directly impact the person’s metabolism, in that the concentration of the leptin hormone will remain unaffected, leading to fewer cravings for carbohydrates. Over time, the individual will not only achieve sound sleep but experience a decrease in blood glucose levels and consequently lose weight.

Clearly, treating sleep apnea makes one less susceptible to developing type 2 diabetes.

Sleep Solutions is a trustworthy source of news, information and treatment tips for Sleep Apnea and related health conditions.