Is Your Sleep Apnea Leading to Diabetes?
According to Diabetes Self Management (https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com): “Years of research have suggested that there is a connection between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and Type 2 diabetes. Now, the largest study investigating the conditions to date has demonstrated a link between the severity of a person’s OSA and his risk of developing Type 2.” The amount and quality of sleep a person gets each night is important in regulating energy levels and weight as well as controlling blood sugar.
Facts:
People with severe OSA were found to have a 30% higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes than people without OSA. Additionally, those with mild or moderate OSA were found to have a 23% increased risk of developing Type 2 compared to those without OSA.
It’s estimated that up to 83% of patients with type 2 diabetes suffer from unrecognized OSA, making the risk of developing chronic conditions such as diabetes worse due to compounding, unaddressed health problems.
What’s the Connection:
The relationship between the two is a vicious cycle that feeds into itself, with poor quality sleep raising blood sugar levels and that, in turn, cause restlessness at night and additional overeating. When this happens, blood sugar levels can raise to the point where it can do damage to organs such as the eyes (glaucoma), kidneys, and heart. In addition to this, hyperglycemia caused by diabetes can lead to fatigue, which will only make the daytime sleepiness of sleep apnea worse.
Talk to Your Doctor
Dr. James Reisman and Dr. Jordana Contrucci, located in Dallas, Texas, urge patients to let them know about all health related issues. If you are experiencing on-going sleep issues, a device used while sleeping may be necessary to aid in treatment, along with eating healthy and exercise. At C R Dental Group we understand the relationship between our overall health and oral health and are here to help in every aspect of our patients well-being.
