Don’t let your lack of sleep lead to diabetes

World Diabetes Day today

Patients with type 2 diabetes should be screened for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Every year, the World Diabetes Day (WDD) focuses on aspects of diabetes in an effort to ‘halt the diabetes epidemic’. WDD was initiated in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organisation. In a lot of cases diabetes is the effect of and becomes the cause of other lifestyle diseases. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is one such disease.

There are many research studies that link diabetes to sleep disorders like OSA. According to a study performed by the University of Tokyo at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, researchers found that the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes increased by 56 per cent in those who were extremely tired during the day. Another study presented at Endo 2015 (Endocrine Society in San Diego) stated that losing as little as 30 minutes of sleep per day on weekdays can have long term consequences on body weight and metabolism which could promote the onset of type 2 diabetes.

“Sleep has a major role to play for diabetic patients. There are some hormones in our body that get affected due to sleep disturbance. A sustained lack of sleep spikes the blood levels of fatty acids in our body, which lowers the ability of insulin to regulate blood sugar. On the other hand, counter regulatory hormones like cortisol and adrenaline increase and in turn also increases the blood sugar level,” says Dr K D Modi, senior endocrinologist, CARE Hospital in Hyderabad.

Diabetes will soon gain the status of an epidemic in India with more than 62 million already diagnosed with the disease. Some studies have pegged India as the diabetes capital of the world and it is said that by 2030 the number of diabetics in India will grow to 100 million. Nearly half of the diabetics suffer from undiagnosed sleep disorders that hamper their glucose management. The estimation of OSA in patients with diabetes is 30-40 per cent. OSA is a syndrome where patients are unable to breathe while asleep due to a partial or complete blockage of the upper airway.

According to Dr Modi, “Diabetes and sleep apnea have a bi-directional association. These disorders often coexist because of the presence of shared risk factors, such as obesity and can lead to serious consequences like cardiovascular morbidity or mortality. As doctors, we have a responsibility of testing diabetes patients for OSA and vice-versa because of the increasing co-incidence.

“OSA has been shown to increase insulin resistance and impact glucose tolerance in Diabetes patients. The International Diabetes Federation recommends that all Diabetics should be screened for the presence of OSA, and those with a positive screen should undergo a sleep study, which can now be done in the comfort of one’s home,” he added.

This year the theme for WDD is “Healthy eating as a key factor in the fight against diabetes and a cornerstone of health and sustainable development.” Since both OSA and diabetes patients struggle with weight loss, healthy eating and regular exercise are indispensable.

Two things need to be prioritised in such a scenario, limiting foods for blood sugar and fat. The tendency to obsess and limit food altogether should be avoided. These steps can help patients maintain healthy lifestyles even when suffering from a co-morbidity of OSA and diabetes.