Sleep deficiency and Diabetes

I  admit the needle on my internal sleep gauge is often pointing at "sleep deficiency." A new study from the University of Warwick and published in the Annals of Epidemiology journal is the latest to find a link between lack of sleep and diabetes.

Those of us with Type 2 diabetes are told to concentrate on the big three--diet, exercise, and medications. If we have these covered, we should be fine. Right? At least, that's how it would work in a perfect world.

How often have you been diligent about the "big three" only to struggle with the numbers that your glucometer spits out? How often have you had your day ruined by a high A1c test when you were expecting a good number? I'm wildly waving my hand.

This study found a link between sleep and developing diabetes or pre-diabetes. However, studies like these should be of value to those of us already with diabetes because they reveal how complicated this disease is and how we need to think of management in broader terms.

We are complicated biological creatures. Diabetes is influenced by various hormonal systems which are in turn influenced by all sorts of stimuli. There is a need to look at ourselves in a holistic way and care for ourselves. In other words, we need to consider our bodies, minds, emotions, lives, stressors, environment - the list could go on.

According to the study, getting less than 6 hours of sleep a night increases the likelihood of developing diabetes and heart disease. The researchers looked at data from 1,455 participants over six years. Less sleep increased the risk of incident-impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG) which is a pre-diabetic condition. The risk was tripled.

Lack of sleep could affect glucose metabolism, stimulate appetite, decrease glucose tolerance, and increase production of the stress hormone cortisol.

I'm sure, if you are like me, getting sleep may not be easy. It can be complicated by things ranging from lack of time to sleep apnea. Need help to get a better night's sleep? Check out the Top 10 Ways to Get a Better Night's Sleep and Overview of Common Sleep Disorders.

Take the time to to find answers to get the sleep you need. You're worth it.