Diabetes Management
Diabetes & Sleep Cycle: Is there a Connection?
2 min read
Published on - 20 September 2023
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Diabetes is a complex and chronic medical condition affecting millions worldwide. While it is primarily associated with elevated sugar levels and impacts various organs, it also disrupt your sleep cycle. In this blog, we’ll explore how diabetes can influence your sleep cycle.
How Does Diabetes Affect Your Sleep Cycle?
Diabetes can disrupt your sleep cycle in several ways. Fluctuating blood sugar levels and diabetes-related complications can lead to insomnia, frequent awakenings and an increased risk of sleep disorders, affecting the overall quality of your sleep.
- Fluctuating Blood Sugar Levels
Diabetes is characterised by the body's inability to regulate blood glucose effectively, resulting in either high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) or low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). Both of these extremes can disrupt your sleep.
While hyperglycemia can lead to increased thirst and frequent urination, hypoglycemia can result in night sweats or nightmares due to hunger and shakiness.
- Sleep Apnea
People with diabetes are at an elevated risk of developing sleep apnea, a sleep disorder characterised by pauses in breathing during sleep. Due to altered glucose metabolism and insulin resistance, sleep apnea can disrupt your sleep cycle by causing repeated awakenings.
- Neuropathy and Restless Leg Syndrome
Diabetes can cause neuropathy, a condition characterised by nerve damage, particularly in the legs and feet. This neuropathy can result in uncomfortable sensations, such as burning or tingling, which may intensify at night.
Conclusion
It is crucial for individuals with diabetes to recognize that the condition can profoundly impact their sleep cycle. Sleep disruptions related to diabetes can contribute to daytime fatigue, worsen diabetes-related complications, and affect overall well-being. Therefore, proactive management of diabetes is essential for better sleep., including regular monitoring of blood sugar levels, medication adherence, and a healthy lifestyle.
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How Type 2 Diabetes May Be Linked to an Unhealthy Gut?
A recent study found that Lactobacillus, a microbe containing numerous bacterial strains and found in probiotics and fermented foods like pickled vegetables and fortified dairy products, can improve metabolism and reduce the risk of diabetes. Another study revealed that individuals consuming a high-fibre diet possess higher levels of indolepropionic acid in their blood. This anti-inflammatory agent, produced by gut bacteria, helps lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.
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Diabetes can harm the kidneys through a condition known as diabetic nephropathy. Prolonged high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels and filtering units in the kidneys. This leads to reduced kidney function, protein leakage in urine (albuminuria), and potentially end-stage renal disease.