Sleep Apnea and Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is often associated with things such as obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease, but recent research has shown another condition that it is linked to as well: sleep apnea. 

More than 1 in 2 people with type 2 diabetes also suffer from sleep apnea. Studies show that sleep apnea may also affect the body by contributing to problems such as insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. When patients with sleep apnea suffer from diabetes, they lose their ability to breakdown glucose effectively and therefore show increased sugar levels especially during the morning. This results in uncontrolled sugar levels for diabetic patients and increased sugar levels, which could lead to life threatening concerns for the patient. When diabetic patients are treated for their sleep apnea, there is an improvement in glucose levels and better control over their diabetes.

How CPAP Therapy Can Help People with Diabetes & OSA

While there are mixed studies that show how CPAP therapy can help diabetes, there is no doubt that it will help with OSA resulting in better health overall and likely help with diabetic levels. Since diabetes is often linked to obesity, as is OSA, this treatment can have great results in getting a better sleep, feeling better during the day and helping prevent other diseases and illnesses from occurring down the road. 

Tips for Bettering Your Health 

• Lose the extra weight 
• Get tested for OSA if you have diabetes 
• Be cautious of what you put in your body 
• Exercise, exercise, exercise