It is a myth to think diabetes has nothing to do with sleep because diabetes has a lot to do with sleep. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 35 percent of Americans report getting less than the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night.
People who don’t get enough sleep are prone to a variety of health problems, including type 2 diabetes. Research has not proven just how sleep, or the lack of sleep, affects diabetes, but it’s possible that for some people, preventing or controlling diabetes is as simple as getting an extra hour or two of sleep each night.
Diabetes Forecast reported that not getting enough sleep could affect blood glucose levels in people with diabetes. A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that those who report poor sleep quality have higher A1Cs (average blood glucose over two to three months).
Researchers know there is a connection between diabetes and sleep, but they have not uncovered the basis for the connection between sleep and type 2 diabetes. Studies do suggest that helping people with obstructive sleep apnea rest easier can improve their blood glucose levels. If your blood glucose level is high, try getting enough sleep and see how it will affect your A1C.
