Does Sleep Deprivation Increase The Risk Of Diabetes?

Sleep is one of the most important pillars for maintaining your overall health. Sleep deprivation can impact your physical health and can be a concern for numerous diseases, including diabetes. However, the relationship between sleep and diabetes is slightly complex. Let’s have a look at how sleep affects diabetes and vice versa.  

Relationship Between Sleep and Diabetes

Many studies have indicated that poor sleep or less restorative slow-wave sleep can raise the blood sugar levels in diabetes and prediabetes patients and impact their overall health. A continuous lack of sleep can even affect people without diabetes and increase their risk of developing the disease. 

How Does Sleep Deprivation Affect Blood Sugar Levels?

• Sleep deprivation increases the levels of cortisol, which in turn raises the levels of blood glucose in the body. 
• A lack of sleep can increase insulin resistance in the body and raise your blood glucose levels. Even partial sleep deprivation of just one night is capable of reducing insulin sensitivity in your body.  
• Sleep deprivation tends to increase oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, both of which are risk factors for high blood glucose levels. 

Sleep deprivation can also increase the risk of diabetes complications, such as:

• A lack of sleep can lead to serious psychological distress, which is a risk factor for many diabetes complications. Some studies also suggest that it can increase the risk of cognitive decline in the later stages of life.   
• Sleep deprivation is also known to raise the levels of ghrelin, the hunger hormone, and reduce the levels of leptin, the satiety hormone. These hormonal changes can cause an overindulgence in foods with high glycemic index and put the diabetes patients at risk of obesity and other diabetes complications. 
• People who experience frequent nighttime awakenings or disturbed sleep are also less likely to follow diabetes self-care routine, such as exercising and regular monitoring of blood sugar levels, thereby further elevating the risk of diabetes complications. 

Can Diabetes Also Cause Sleep Deprivation?

Sleep deprivation is a leading risk factor for diabetes. However, this relationship is not one-sided. Even diabetes can affect your sleep and cause sleep deprivation. 

About 50% of the people with diabetes experience sleep problems due to unstable blood sugar levels and diabetes complications. 

In the case of high blood sugar levels, kidneys tend to overcompensate and cause excessive urination. Frequent trips to the bathroom can disrupt your sleep and affect your health. Similarly, low blood sugar levels can cause nightmares, excessive sweating, irritation, etc., all of which can cause sleep deprivation. 

Furthermore, stress about the diseases can keep you awake at night and adversely affect your sleep quality.        

Common Sleep Disorders in Diabetes Patients

The two most common disorders that cause sleep deprivation in diabetes patients are:

• Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS): RLS is characterised by a tingling and irritating sensation in the legs that interfere with sleep and cause sleep deprivation. Approximately one in five people with type 2 diabetes have this syndrome. However, you must differentiate it from peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) as the symptoms may seem very similar. 
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): In this sleep disorder, the patient momentarily stops breathing at recurring intervals during the night, causing micro-arousals that interfere with sleep and impair your sleep quality. However, this sleep problem can easily be treated with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device.

How To Cope With Sleep Deprivation In Diabetes?

• Control your blood sugar levels with the help of a healthy diet plan, regular exercise and medications.  
• Fix a sleep schedule and adhere to it. 
• Avoid stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine or alcohol just before going to bed. 
• Restrict the use of electronics before sleeping and put your phone on silent at nighttime.
• Remove distractions and maintain a cool, dark and quiet atmosphere in the bedroom. 

On A Final Note

Diabetes and sleep are intricately connected with each other. Sleep deprivation can increase insulin resistance and cause high blood sugar levels in the body, elevating the risk of diabetes and many diabetes complications. Therefore, it is essential to maintain a healthy sleep cycle and take sufficient sleep every day to control your blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of diabetes.  

References

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