Sleep and diabetes

Can Diabetes affect Sleep?

People with diabetes may have sleep problems due to unstable/fluctuating blood sugar levels and accompanying diabetes-related symptoms.

High blood sugar levels leads to more urination at night. These frequent visit to the bathroom lead to disrupted sleep. High blood sugar can increase thirst and tiredness that can interfere with falling asleep.

On flip side, fasting for long duration or taking diabetes medicine without food intake in evening/night can lead to low blood sugar levels at night. Low blood sugar can lead to significant sweating or feel irritated or confused when you wake up.

Can inadequate/poor Sleep affect blood sugar (in diabetes)?

Just as diabetes can affect sleep, sleep problems also seem to play a role in diabetes.

Scientists believe that poor sleep may affect blood sugar levels due to its effects on hormones like insulin and cortisol. Improper Sleep can affect certain hormones related to hunger and satiety leading to increase in food intake that raise blood sugar levels.

Sleep deprivation also raises the risk of developing insulin resistance in the first place.

How to manage sleep issues in diabetes?

Proper control of blood sugar and management of diabetes complications (if any) can help improve sleep for people with type 2 diabetes.

Practice good sleep hygiene habits every day such as-

• Be consistent. Try to sleep at the same time each night and get up time each morning (including on the weekends) as much as possible.
• Bedroom environment should be quiet, dark with comfortable room temperature.
• Avoid using TVs, computers, and mobile phones in bedroom
• Don’t take large or heavy meals, caffeine (like tea or coffee) and alcohol before sleep
• Do regular exercise. Being physically active during the day can help you fall asleep more easily at night.
• Reduce water or fluid intake before sleep to avoid excessive urination at midnight.

Consult a doctor or specialist if sleep deprivation/problem persist in spite of following good sleep hygiene or practices.