Diabetes can cause lack of sleep and poor sleep quality. This is often due to fluctuating blood sugar levels, which can cause frequent nighttime urination and other symptoms.
Both high blood sugar and low blood sugar during the night can lead to insomnia and subsequent daytime fatigue. Feelings of depression or stress about the chronic nature of the disease can also lead to disrupted sleep.
When your blood sugar levels are elevated, your kidneys try to compensate by flushing out excess sugar via urine. This can lead to frequent urination during the night. Dehydration can also cause you to feel thirsty and develop headaches, which can further keep you awake at night.
Not taking antidiabetic medications as prescribed and going hungry for several hours can also cause insomnia.
What sleep disorders are commonly associated with diabetes?
The most common sleep disorders in people with diabetes are restless leg syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea:
- Restless leg syndrome (RLS): Approximately 1 in 5 people with type II diabetes suffer from restless leg syndrome (RLS). RLS is characterized by pain, tingling, or other uncomfortable sensations in the legs that can disturb sleep.
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by frequent episodes of breathing cessation, which interferes with the ability to stay asleep. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 7 in 10 people with type II diabetes have OSA. It is more common in people who are obese or have an increased neck circumference, which obstructs the airways.
7 tips for getting better sleep with diabetes
In most cases, keeping blood sugar levels under control, following a healthy diet, and exercising regularly can help you get better sleep with diabetes.
- Manage your blood sugar levels: Eat a healthy diet and follow instructions regarding medication dosages and timing. This can keep your blood sugar levels from going too high or too low during the day or night.
- Exercise regularly: Even 10 minutes of exercise during the day increases your internal body temperature. This can help you drift off to sleep when your temperature lowers at night. Exercise can also help you maintain a healthy weight and control your blood sugar levels.
- Practice good sleep hygiene: Wear breathable pajamas, make sure your mattress is clean and comfortable, avoid caffeine in the evening, and avoid eating a heavy or fatty meal before bed.
- Stay away from blue light before bedtime: Exposure to blue light—which is emitted from electronic devices—close to bedtime can disrupt sleep and affect your metabolism. A study published in the journal PLoS ONE (May 2016) suggests that blue light exposure is associated with an increase in insulin resistance, which affects the body’s ability to keep blood sugar levels in check.
- Avoid alcohol before bedtime: Alcohol affects blood sugar levels and can cause frequent trips to the bathroom during the night. The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) recommends avoiding alcohol 4 hours before bedtime.
- Avoid daytime naps: Avoid napping for more than 20 minutes during the day, as this can make it difficult to fall asleep at night.
- Correct obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): If you have symptoms such as loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, irritability, and morning headaches, you may have OSA. Ask your doctor about getting a sleep study. OSA can be managed with breathing devices such as a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.
- Manage your stress levels: Stress can raise your blood sugar levels, and increased blood sugar levels can cause you more stress. To stop this vicious cycle, find ways to relax and de-stress with techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, or tai chi.
QUESTION
Why do we sleep? See AnswerMedically Reviewed on 3/10/2022
References
Image Source: iStock Images
Pacheco D. Lack of Sleep and Diabetes. Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/physical-health/lack-of-sleep-and-diabetes
Pacheco D. Lack of Sleep and Diabetes. Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/physical-health/lack-of-sleep-and-diabetes
Complete List
Top Can Diabetes Cause Lack of Sleep Related Articles
Can Diabetes Make My Legs Hurt?
Yes, diabetes, particularly a poorly controlled diabetes where the blood sugars are high, is a major cause of pain and uncomfortable sensations in the leg. Diabetic leg pain may present as a dull ache in the soles, calves, and thighs or present with pins and needles like sensation in the lower limb.
Tips for Managing Type 1 and 2 Diabetes at Home
Managing your diabetes is a full time commitment. The goal of diabetic therapy is to control blood glucose levels and prevent the complications of diabetes. Information about exercise, diet, and medication will help you manage your diabetes better. Blood glucose reagent strips, blood glucose meters, urine glucose tests, tests for urinary ketones, continuous glucose sensors, and Hemoglobin A1C testing information will enable you to mange your diabetes at home successfully.
What Is the Difference Between Diabetes Insipidus and Diabetes Mellitus?
Diabetes affects the way your body turns food into energy. Diabetes insipidus causes thirst due to dehydration from constant urination while diabetes mellitus causes thirst due to high glucose levels in the blood.
How Do I Stop Frequent Urination at Night?
Frequent urination at night affects more than 50% of adults. Learn why it happens, what doctors can do, and steps you can take to stop frequent urination at night.
Is Hypersomnolence a Mental Disorder?
Hypersomnolence (hypersomnia) is not a mental disorder. Hypersomnolence is excessive daytime sleepiness despite getting adequate sleep (seven hours) during the night. Hypersomnolence can be caused by various factors, including medical conditions such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome. It can also be triggered by certain medications, lifestyle factors, sleep disorders, and insufficient sleep.
Sleep Disorders: Myths and Facts About Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Is it just snoring, or is it something more serious? We set the record straight on some myths and facts surrounding obstructive sleep apnea.
What Is the Relationship Between Diabetes and Kidney Disease?
Diabetic kidney disease is caused by multiple factors, including changes in the kidneys caused by diabetes and hypertension-related vascular changes. Having high blood sugar levels can lead to kidney damage and failure. People with diabetes may already have hypertension when they are diagnosed. Because high blood pressure damages the kidneys, it increases the risk of diabetic kidney disease.
Restless Legs Syndrome
Restless legs syndrome treatment includes natural remedies that you can implement at home. Use exercise, sleep hygiene, and relaxation to treat RLS.
semaglutide
Semaglutide is a medication used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and for chronic weight management, along with physical exercise, dietary restrictions, and lifestyle changes. Semaglutide is used to control blood sugar levels when other commonly prescribed medications do not control the sugar levels adequately in type 2 diabetes, but cannot be used to treat type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis, a complication of diabetes. Common side effects of semaglutide include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, indigestion (dyspepsia), abdominal distension, decrease in appetite, belching (eructation), gas (flatulence), gastritis, gastroenteritis, viral gastroenteritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gallstones (cholelithiasis), headache, fatigue, dizziness, low blood glucose level (hypoglycemia), severe hypoglycemia, diabetic retinopathy, and others. Do not take if breastfeeding.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is defined as a reduction or cessation of breathing during sleep. The three types of sleep apnea are central apnea, obstructive apnea (OSA), and a mixture of central and obstructive apnea. Central sleep apnea is caused by a failure of the brain to activate the muscles of breathing during sleep. OSA is caused by the collapse of the airway during sleep. OSA is diagnosed and evaluated through patient history, physical examination and polysomnography. There are many complications related to obstructive sleep apnea. Treatments are surgical and non-surgical.
Sleep Disorders: Insomnia, Sleep Apnea, and More
Learn about the different types of sleep/wake disorders such as insomnia, narcolepsy, and sleep apnea. Explore the symptoms, causes, tests and treatments of sleep disorders.
Sleep Quiz
Take our Sleeping Quiz to learn which sleep disorders, causes, and symptoms rule the night. Trouble falling or staying asleep? Find out which medical treatments fight sleep deprivation, apnea, insomnia, and more!
Type 2 Diabetes Quiz
What causes type 2 diabetes? Can it be prevented? Take this online quiz and challenge your knowledge of this common condition. Also, get the truth about myths and facts!
Type 2 Diabetes Signs
Learn about type 2 diabetes warning signs, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. Find out why thirst, headaches, and infections could be signs of diabetes. Discover the treatment options for people with type 2 diabetes, including medicines and lifestyle improvements.
What Are the Four Warning Signs of Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that can potentially lead to serious systemic health complications. It is a condition that causes a person to intermittently stop breathing during sleep. Warning signs of sleep apnea include snoring, nighttime gasping, intermittent pauses during sleep, and daytime sleepiness.
What Is the Main Cause of Restless Leg Syndrome?
The main causes of restless leg syndrome (RLS) include brain dopamine concentrations, genetic history, and brain iron concentrations.