Diabetes is a medical condition where the amount of sugar in the blood is higher than what it should be. Although many patients feel no difference if their blood sugar is higher on certain days, long term effects of poorly treated diabetes include heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and chronic nerve pain. Many doctors relate the severity of a patient’s diabetes to the Hemoglobin A1c. (A Hemoglobin A1c over 6 is abnormal.)

Diabetes affects about 1 of every 12 adults and children.  Another 79,000,000 people have pre-diabetes, or about one out of every four.  People with diabeteshave sleep disorders that may potentially worsen their diabetes.  Some of these sleep disorders include sleep apnea, chronic pain, insomnia, restless legs syndrome, and nocturia (urination during the night).

Several studies have suggested that people who have poor sleep habits or who don’t get enough sleep at night are at greater risk for becoming overweight and developing type 2 diabetes. This could be because poor or inadequate sleep directly interferes with the body’s ability to process carbohydrates, leading to weight gain.

Treatment of sleep disorders can improve overall blood sugar levels, chronic pain, reduce nocturia, and restless legs syndrome!

If you have diabetes and you snore or are sleepy during the day, make an appointment with Dr. Roy to discuss if a sleep disorder may be contributing to your diabetes.