The link between Type 2 Diabetes and Sleep Apnea

Research proves that the comparatively shorter duration of sleep experienced by sleep apnea patients is a risk factor for developing diabetes. In normal and healthy human beings, sleep deprivation alters the following:

• Glucose homeostasis: This refers to the individual's ability to maintain a balance between insulin and glucagon for a healthy and normal blood glucose level. However, the glucose homeostasis level is disrupted among diabetics.

• Insulin sensitivity: Diabetics usually have a decreased insulin sensitivity. This means that they need much more of insulin to keep a stable level of blood glucose.

• Obesity: Those who are obese and suffer from diabetes are at a high risk for sleep apnea. They experience several apnea episodes during sleep. Such people are highly insulin resistant and have large deposits of fat inside the body and around their organs or visceral fat.

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