The consequences of diabetes on sleep

Diabetes and sleep disorders are often linked. The complications of the disease can indeed alter the quality of sleep; However, poor sleep has repercussions on glycemic control. What are these disorders? How to cure it ? Explanations with Doctor Dominique Huet, diabetologist endocrinologist, and Doctor Marc Rey, neurologist and president of the National Institute of Sleep and Vigilance.




It has been shown that a reduction in sleep time is associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes  : according to Inserm, sleeping less than 6 hours per night is enough to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes by 28% 1 And once the disease is established, sleep disorders are all the more frequent as " the diabetic population is very heterogeneous ", notes Dr. Marc Rey, neurologist and president of the National Institute of Sleep and Vigilance (INSV ). Indeed, depending on whether he is type 1 or type 2 diabetic , the patient is exposed to different sleep disorders.

The most common sleep disorders in diabetes

Insomnia related to nocturnal hypoglycaemia

In type 1 diabetes, we find in particular the problem of insomnia  (difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, early awakening): these are generally linked to nocturnal hypoglycaemia  when the dose of insulin administered to the patient is too high. high. “ This will bother him, wake him up and force him to re-sugar ,” explains Doctor Dominique Huet, endocrinologist and diabetologist. It is a consequence of the treatment ”.

restless leg syndrome

In both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, restless leg syndrome is prevalent. This disorder is linked to a complication of diabetes, diabetic neuropathy , which corresponds to damage to the nerves: impatience in the lower limbs, characterized in particular by pain and tingling which occurs rather at night, " will wake up the patient and thus fragment his sleep ," Dr. Rey points out.

sleep apnea syndrome

In type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea syndrome  (also called obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome, or OSAS) is particularly common. According to Dr. Huet, " more than two out of three type 2 diabetic patients suffer from it ". This disorder, is characterized by snoring and breathing stops during sleep which will lead to micro-awakenings, is favored by excess weight: " The appearance of fatty deposits along the pharynx, resulting in a narrowing of the airways airways and a decrease in the volume of the respiratory tract, explains this association ", specifies Inserm. Conversely, the INSV reports that 40% of people affected by OSAHS will one day have diabetes2. "It's a vicious circle: diabetes increases weight and sleep apnea, and the latter increases diabetes ," notes Dr. Rey.

Frequent urges to urinate, symptomatic of the disease, can also disturb sleep; diabetic retinopathy , another complication of diabetes, can cause a decrease in light perception and thus alter circadian rhythms by favoring late going to bed and getting up (phase delay); phases of hyperglycaemia during the day can lead to daytime sleepiness; the stress and anxiety caused by this chronic disease can promote these disorders, as can depression, which is more frequent in diabetic patients.

Link between sleep disorders and glycemic control

Because they are intimately linked to the complications of diabetes , these sleep disturbances are actually the result of an imbalance of the disease, that is, poor blood sugar control. However, it has been proven that a reduced sleep time because it is disturbed leads to a 30% drop in the amount of insulin produced and a 50% increase in resistance to this blood sugar regulating hormone 2. This explains why sleep disturbances can aggravate diabetes, but also promote their onset.

How to sleep well when you have diabetes?

The balance of diabetes, which requires good therapeutic compliance, is essential to prevent and treat sleep disorders. At the same time, the improvement in sleep ensures a better balance of the disease.

According to Dr. Rey, the first step is therefore not to hesitate to talk to your doctor about your sleep, " something that patients often do not do ", he laments. And in order to allow a real diagnostic work, the latter must be attentive to their symptoms. “ It must be specified whether there is significant snoring, leg pain at night, stress, etc. to be able to put the doctor on the trail of nocturnal hypoglycaemia, sleep apnea or other ”.

In addition to blood sugar control, cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) can be effective in managing insomnia and pain. In the case of sleep apnea, the standard treatment is the use of a continuous positive pressure device (CPAP). The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) recommends routine screening for diabetes in people with sleep apnea, and targeted screening for sleep apnea in diabetic patients with classic symptoms (apnea reported by partner, loud snoring, daytime sleepiness, treatment-resistant hypertension)4.

Location: India

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is intermittent fasting?

Image
Intermittent  fasting  is a "method" that is gaining popularity among women every day, as they say it is an effective way to   lose weight  .  We explain  what intermittent fasting is and how it works.   According to  the Mayo Clinic,  regular  fasting  can lower "bad" cholesterol and improve how the body metabolizes sugar, which can be good for  preventing weight gain  and  reducing risk factors for diabetes and heart disease.    This is because people who resort to constant  fasting   are believed to have greater self-control in the way they eat, drink and their calorie intake, which means they  may have more control over their weight.   Now ,  intermittent fasting  is different types of  fasting:   Intermittent fasting one:  consume few calories for a few days and then eat normally.   Intermittent fasting two:  eat only at certain times, skip som...
Read more

Basic treatment for asthma

Image
Contrary to the treatment of the attack which brings an immediate relief, the basic treatment must be taken on a regular basis in order to control the symptoms and reduce the number of attacks.  These drugs also prevent the deterioration of respiratory function over time. Asthma: the interest of disease-modifying therapy The basic treatment of asthma treats the  causes of asthma  , mainly the inflammation of the bronchi.  This treatment to be effective must be taken every day  .  Basic treatment is the only way to effectively reduce the number, duration and intensity of attacks.  It is thanks to this treatment that the patient can lead a normal life. Basic treatment of asthma: drugs The background treatment is mainly based on an  anti-inflammatory action to reduce bronchial hyper-reactivity and inflammation  .  These two components of asthma absolutely must be controlled to stop the deterioration of the disease.  The products used a...
Read more

Diet And Sleep: Simple Diet Changes To Help Improve Your Sleep

Image
Sleep is an integral part of your health.  Without it, all the systems and functions in the body go awry.  Think about it - when you go one night without proper sleep, how do you feel?  Instead of being tired, you probably feel a fog in the brain and your attention span decreases significantly.  These are just the symptoms that you really notice.  Other changes are happening in your body, such as the way it controls blood sugar and changes in blood pressure. As you can see, sleep is important.  So, if you are not getting enough, you will want to take the necessary steps to improve it. One way you can improve sleep is to make simple adjustments to your diet.  You may not understand it, but your diet can play a huge role in many areas of health, including sleep.  Therefore, the following dietary changes can do wonders and get you the restful night of sleep you deserve. Should you eat and drink before bed? While it may be tempting to enjoy a big hear...
Read more