Lack of sufficient or poor quality of sleep has been related to a variety of illnesses, both minor and major. Sleep disturbance is linked to metabolic impacts, alterations in circadian rhythms, proinflammatory responses, and increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system. In addition to a number of immediate effects like stress, mental distress, mood disorders, and performance deficiencies, the study found that sleep deprivation also has a number of long-term effects. In otherwise healthy people, sleep disruption can have long-term effects such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, problems with weight, metabolic syndrome, colorectal cancer, and type 2 diabetes. Yes, you read it right, sleep has also a connection with diabetes, which we will see in this article.
Diabetes and sleep deprivation are not directly related, although some studies have found that extended periods of poor sleep can raise the chance of developing diabetes. It is true that glycemic management and metabolic health are both impacted by sleep.
What do the studies suggest?
Lack of sleep can cause transient pre-diabetic symptoms in healthy young men, according to 2015 research that was published in Diabetologia, the journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes.
Lack of sleep also worsens insulin sensitivity, which affects sugar regulation. It so works against establishing a low-carb diet and frequent exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Another study conducted by scientists at Toho University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan has also supported the hypothesis that increased insulin resistance brought on by sleep loss causes diabetes. The study’s authors discovered increased blood glucose in the mice’s livers that had been denied sleep. After just one 6-hour session of sleep deprivation, these alterations were notable.
How does sleep affect diabetes?
The stress brought on by not getting enough sleep causes the body to release more cortisol, often known as the stress hormone. Blood sugar levels rise as a result of rising cortisol levels.
Lack of sleep can further harm diabetics’ health and make it more challenging to control their blood sugar levels. Lack of sleep or insufficient sleep can raise insulin resistance, stress, blood sugar levels, and pancreatic function, as well as make you feel drained and ravenous the next day and prevent you from ever feeling satisfied after eating.
How does diabetes affect sleep?
On the other hand, diabetes has also been demonstrated to have a major impact on sleep. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been linked to a higher frequency of sleep problems, which may be because of the disease itself or because of secondary consequences or associated comorbidities connected with diabetes, according to a study published in the National Library of Medicines.
Poor sugar management can make you urinate more frequently at night, which can make it difficult to sleep. Hypoglycemia, or very low blood sugar, can also make it difficult to sleep.
There are several reasons why a diabetic may have trouble sleeping, including:
• Blood sugar levels can fluctuate if medication is not taken as directed.
• Night-time urine that occurs more frequently can interfere with sleep.
• Diabetic neuropathy causes tingling in the hands and feet at night, which makes it difficult to fall asleep.
What to do?
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Most of us, thanks to the internet, are aware of the typical suggestions for getting a good night’s sleep, but diabetics need to pay special attention. Here are some tips for getting a good night’s sleep if you have diabetes.
- Taking the appropriate medicine as directed to manage diabetes. Controlling blood sugar levels would improve sleep quality by reducing diabetic neuropathy symptoms and/or frequency of urination.
- Maintaining excellent glycaemic control involves eating a nutritious diet and engaging in regular exercise.
- Getting a good night’s sleep of 6 to 8 hours.
- To sleep effectively, one must strive for a healthy weight, avoid distractions, eat dinner at least three hours before bed, and establish a conducive sleeping environment.