Here’s something truly worth considering if you have either Type 2 diabetes or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
You may have both!
The International Diabetes Foundation has found that 58% of diabetes patients may have some form of sleep disordered breathing. The IDF stated this year “The possibility of OSA should be considered in the assessment of all patients with Type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome.” Further, the IDF reported earlier this year that 40% of OSA patients have diabetes.
And the Wisconsin Sleep Cohort, reporting on an 18 year study which included 1,387 subjects, showed a significant link between OSA and Type 2 diabetes.
The consequences of OSA should be of concern to every person with diabetes: insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke and depression.
Physiological stress associated with OSA may be involved in insulin resistance due to one or more of the following biological mechanisms:
- Increased level of sympathetic nervous system activation
- Increased levels of cortisol
- Direct effects of oxygen desaturations (hypoxia)
- Increase in leptin/decrease of adiponectin
- Abnormal sleep architecture
Fortunately, a common and non-invasive treatment for sleep apnea appears to be helpful. People who use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for 4 hours or more per night, show an improvement in insulin sensitivity and a significant reduction in hemoglobin A1c levels (an important factor in determining how well the patient is managing their diabetes).
So, if you snore at night and feel exhausted during the day, it could be sleep apnea … and it could be your diabetes getting worse. Click here for more information about diabetes and sleep apnea.
Talk with your doctor or diabetes educator.
Steve Gardner
3 comments
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September 26, 2008 at 3:29 am
Anne Holmes
This is an important observation and one that more people need to become aware of.
I speak from experience, as I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes roughly a year before I found out I also have OSA. Since being diagnosed with the sleep apnea and beginning my PAP treatment at the beginning of this year, and using my BiPAP machine nightly for roughly 9 months now, I am happy to report that my diabetes has become a lot easier to control – my most recent A1C received applause from my doctor – and my blood pressure at my recent checkup was the lowest I can remember in my adult life.
I’d been aware that I had started snoring for roughly 20 years, but no one had ever suggested that I be tested for sleep apnea. In fact, no health care professional ever actually asked me if I snored.
I was only diagnosed with sleep apnea after an acute incident in which I woke up and found that I could not draw in a breath. Pretty scary stuff!
So if you have diabetes, and you are aware that you snore, I implore you to consult with your doctor or health care professional. It may save your life!
Anne Holmes
September 30, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Steve Gardner
Anne, thank you for your important comments. Thanks for sharing, and congratulations on your success in treating both your OSA and Type 2 Diabetes!
October 31, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Steve Gardner
Anne: Your remarks are right on. We really glad things on definitely on the upswing now. If you will check our sister site: http://www.shareyourcpapstory.com
you will find an opportunity to reach even more people with your story. Please take a look and if you like, fill out the information there.
Again, thanks!