The Connection Between Lack of Sleep and Type 2 Diabetes
The Connection Between Lack of Sleep and Type 2 Diabetes in San Diego, California
Type 2 diabetes mellitus affects millions of Americans. In fact, 90-95% of all diabetes patients have type 2 diabetes (vs. type 1 diabetes). Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which the body produces insulin, but the insulin produced is no longer adequately processing glucose. The result is that blood sugar levels are elevated in the bloodstream. A licensed healthcare professional can diagnose type 2 diabetes.
Some symptoms include:
- Excessive thirst
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness and headaches
- Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
- Fatigue
Some risk factors of diabetes include:
- Age
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Belly fat
- Genetics or family history
- Sedentary lifestyle
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular disease
Some ways to treat and prevent type 2 diabetes include lifestyle changes such as:
- Diet
- Exercise
- Blood sugar monitoring
- Medication
People with type 2 diabetes must receive medical care to ensure that the condition is kept under control. Unmonitored and untreated diabetes can lead to more issues. But what is the connection between diabetes and sleep? Here are some answers.
How Does Diabetes Affect Sleep?
In addition to these other risk factors for type 2 diabetes, lack of sleep has also been identified as another cause for concern. When some of your body’s hormones are not functioning correctly, other hormones can become dysregulated, too. One of these hormones is cortisol. Known as the “stress hormone,” cortisol is actually the hormone responsible for keeping the body awake. When we lack sleep, the body may produce more cortisol, which may increase glucose levels in the blood. Here are some other ways that diabetes affects sleep.
- Blood Sugar Levels Affect Sleep
Sleep can be disrupted when the body becomes hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemic (high blood sugar), and these blood sugar fluctuations can cause insomnia. - Kidney Issues
One of the symptoms of diabetes is thirst. When blood sugar levels fluctuate, the kidneys may begin to overcompensate, causing frequent urination, which can disrupt sleep. - Imbalance
An imbalance of blood sugar levels may induce headaches, hunger, nightmares, or confusion upon waking.
How Does Poor Sleep Affect Blood Sugar Levels
Similar to how diabetes can cause sleep disorders, sleep issues also seem to contribute to diabetes. Although studies have been inconclusive, it is hypothesized that poor sleep adversely affects hormone levels.
It is known that there is a correlation between lack of sleep and elevated blood sugar levels. The connection is likely that lack of sleep disrupts the production of insulin and cortisol, creating an imbalance. Sleep disruption can also cause weight gain, which can be a risk factor for diabetes. Deep sleep is necessary to restore hormone levels and balance blood sugar. This deep sleep may never be reached in individuals who get less than 6 hours of sleep per night.
Common Sleep Disorders in People with Diabetes
Some sleep disorders that are common in people with diabetes are:
- Restless Legs Syndrome
People with diabetes can suffer from diabetic neuropathy, leading to RLS - Insomnia
Diabetes patients may have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep - Nocturnal hypoglycemia
A restricted diet or certain medications can lead to low blood sugar levels during sleep, altering sleep patterns.
Conclusion
The link between type 2 diabetes and sleep issues is irrefutable. To balance a healthy amount of rest and diabetes, it is essential to create an environment promoting healthy sleep patterns.
Advanced Functional Medicine
Advanced Functional Medicine has the answers you seek to treat and control diabetes and sleep disorders. The premier resource for functional medicine in the San Diego area, we focus on all-natural, nutritional, and functional ways to heal the body from the inside out. We look beyond your current symptoms to analyze your family history, medical history, environmental factors, and more as we create a plan of action to provide the best treatment tailored to your needs. Visit our website to learn more about our services. We practice a practical and effective approach to healthcare to keep our patients happy and healthy.