Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDiabetes and SleepSleep Issues Associated With Type 2 DiabetesTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Diabetes and Sleep
Sleep Issues Associated With Type 2 Diabetes
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Diabetesis a chronic disease that causes a disruption in the metabolism of sugar (glucose), resulting in high blood sugar. In the U.S., 11.3% or 37.3 million people have diabetes, and 23% or 8.5 million people are undiagnosed.
Taking care of your diabetes means addressing behaviors that can contribute to blood sugar control, such as managing stress, eating healthy, and exercising regularly. Adequate sleep is also important. On average, adults need roughly seven to nine hours of sleep, and kids need even more.Research indicates that lack of sleep can increase the risk of diabetes,but can diabetes cause insomnia?
This article explores the relationship between diabetes and insomnia, as well as treatment options.
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The Link Between Diabetes and Sleep
Insufficient sleep disrupts hormonal balance, dropping leptin (satiety hormone) levels and increasing ghrelin (hunger hormone) levels. This hormonal disruption can lead to excess consumption of food, which can increase blood sugar.
If you have diabetes, chances are you have issues with sleeping. A study found 1 in 2 people with type 2 diabetes have sleep problems due to fluctuating blood sugar levels.
Studies show a relationship between sleep problems andinsulin resistance, prediabetes, and diabetes.Insulin is a hormone; its main function is to assist glucose in reaching the cells so it may be used for energy. Lack of sleep can increase insulin resistance (the cells become resistant to insulin) and overtime elevated blood sugars can increase therisk of prediabetesand type 2 diabetes.
People with type 2 diabetes are more likely to have conditions that impact sleep, such as sleep apnea, peripheral neuropathy, and restless leg syndrome.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea,also referred to as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), affects about two-thirds of people with type 2 diabetes.It is a sleep disorder in which a person’s breathing starts and stops throughout the night due to recurrent upper airway collapse and is associated with full-body inflammation and oxidative stress.OSA can cause impaired glucose tolerance with insulin resistance. The more severe it is the greater impact it will have on glycemic control.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy can cause pain, numbness, tingling, and a burning sensation. It is associated with sleep disturbances and poor sleep quality. Lack of sleep also increases pain sensitivity. Researchers suggest that because these conditions are connected, they should be treated simultaneously.
What Is Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy?
Restless Legs Syndrome
Restless legs syndrome(RLS) affects about 21% of people with type 2 diabetes and is the fourth leading cause of insomnia.The compulsion to move the legs typically occurs at night or when at rest. Symptoms of RLS are very similar to peripheral neuropathy and include things such as pain, burning, numbness, tingling, and electrical simulations.
Although frequently unrecognized, RLS impairs sleep quality and is associated with increased drug consumption at night and depressive and anxious symptoms. RLS may be a risk factor forhypertensionand cardiovascular disease.
Primary Insomnia
Primary insomniais defined as difficulty sleeping and staying asleep that typically lasts three weeks or longer.This type of insomnia also makes you feel tired and irritable during the day. Primary insomnia is not caused as a result of a medical condition or medication. There is no known cause.
Insufficient sleep can impact your quality of life. Management of sleep disorders often requires multiple steps, including relief of symptoms and treatment of the contributing conditions. If you have diabetes, and your sleep is impaired as a result of inadequate blood sugar control, the best thing to do is get your blood sugars in a healthy range.
You will need to investigate why your blood sugar is elevated. Are you exercising enough, taking medication as prescribed, eating a healthful diet? These are just some of the variables that can impact blood sugar control. Reach out to your medical team for support.
If another condition is causing your sleep trouble, you will need to receive treatment for that condition. For example, if you have sleep apnea, your healthcare provider may recommend a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP), or other alternative treatments.
What’s the Difference Between Insomnia and Sleep Apnea?
Lifestyle changes can help improve symptoms. These include:
However, if another health condition is causing your sleep problems, you will want to treat that condition. In some instances, when lifestyle isn’t enough, medications can be prescribed to treat underlying conditions.
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Frequently Asked QuestionsPeople with diabetes can experience insomnia if their blood sugars are not at goal or if they have another underlying health condition that is affecting their sleep. Depression is another condition associated with diabetes that can seriously impact sleep. If you are experiencing depressive symptoms, you should contact your medical team right away.Insomnia is defined as a chronic difficulty of falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up early, despite adequate opportunity to sleep at least three times a week during one month. If you experience difficulty sleeping for a few nights because you are not feeling well, chances are you don’t have insomnia. However, if you have chronic sleep issues, the likelihood of it going away on its own is probably not realistic.Melatonin supplementation is often used as a sleep aid because it plays a role in regulating sleep. Melatonin has also been shown to lower glucose and blood pressure. If you have diabetes and are taking medications to lower your blood sugar or blood pressure, you should discuss the safety of use with your healthcare provider before starting.
People with diabetes can experience insomnia if their blood sugars are not at goal or if they have another underlying health condition that is affecting their sleep. Depression is another condition associated with diabetes that can seriously impact sleep. If you are experiencing depressive symptoms, you should contact your medical team right away.
Insomnia is defined as a chronic difficulty of falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up early, despite adequate opportunity to sleep at least three times a week during one month. If you experience difficulty sleeping for a few nights because you are not feeling well, chances are you don’t have insomnia. However, if you have chronic sleep issues, the likelihood of it going away on its own is probably not realistic.
Melatonin supplementation is often used as a sleep aid because it plays a role in regulating sleep. Melatonin has also been shown to lower glucose and blood pressure. If you have diabetes and are taking medications to lower your blood sugar or blood pressure, you should discuss the safety of use with your healthcare provider before starting.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Center for Disease Control.National Diabetes Statistics Report.Hirshkowitz M, Whiton K, Albert SM, et. al.National Sleep Foundation’s sleep time duration recommendations: methodology and results summary.Sleep Health. 2015;1(1):40-43. doi:10.1016/j.sleh.2014.12.010Koopman ADM, Beulens JW, Dijkstra T, et al.Prevalence of insomnia (symptoms) in T2D and association with metabolic parameters and glycemic control: meta-analysis.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2020;105(3):614-643. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgz065Reutrakul S, Van Cauter E.Sleep influences on obesity, insulin resistance, and risk of type 2 diabetes.Metabolism. 2018;84:56-66.Luyster FS, Dunbar-Jacob J.Sleep quality and quality of life in adults with type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Educ. 2011;37(3):347-355. doi:10.1177/0145721711400663Zhu B, Quinn L, Kapella MC, et al.Relationship between sleep disturbance and self-care in adults with type 2 diabetes.Acta Diabetol. 2018;55(9):963-970.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.The impact of poor sleep on type 2 diabetes.Doumit J, Prasad B.Sleep apnea in type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Spectr.2016;29(1):14–19. doi.org/10.2337/diaspect.29.1.14.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Peripheral neuropathy.Ferini-Strambi L.Neuropathic pain and sleep: a review.Pain Ther. 2017;6(Suppl 1):19-23. doi:10.1007/s40122-017-0089-yVlasie A, Trifu SC, Lupuleac C, Kohn B, Cristea MB.Restless legs syndrome: an overview of pathophysiology, comorbidities and therapeutic approaches (Review).Exp Ther Med. 2022;23(2):185. doi:10.3892/etm.2021.11108Cuellar NG, Dorn JM.Peripheral diabetic neuropathy or restless legs syndrome in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus: differentiating diagnosis in practice.J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 2015;27(12):671-675. doi:10.1002/2327-6924.12311Zobeiri M, Shokoohi A.Restless leg syndrome in diabetics compared with normal controls.Sleep Disord. 2014;2014:871751. doi:10.1155/2014/871751Kayukawa Y, Kitajima T, Tomita S, Okada T.[Primary insomnia].Nihon Rinsho.2009;67(8):1494-1500. Japanese. PMID:19768930
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Center for Disease Control.National Diabetes Statistics Report.Hirshkowitz M, Whiton K, Albert SM, et. al.National Sleep Foundation’s sleep time duration recommendations: methodology and results summary.Sleep Health. 2015;1(1):40-43. doi:10.1016/j.sleh.2014.12.010Koopman ADM, Beulens JW, Dijkstra T, et al.Prevalence of insomnia (symptoms) in T2D and association with metabolic parameters and glycemic control: meta-analysis.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2020;105(3):614-643. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgz065Reutrakul S, Van Cauter E.Sleep influences on obesity, insulin resistance, and risk of type 2 diabetes.Metabolism. 2018;84:56-66.Luyster FS, Dunbar-Jacob J.Sleep quality and quality of life in adults with type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Educ. 2011;37(3):347-355. doi:10.1177/0145721711400663Zhu B, Quinn L, Kapella MC, et al.Relationship between sleep disturbance and self-care in adults with type 2 diabetes.Acta Diabetol. 2018;55(9):963-970.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.The impact of poor sleep on type 2 diabetes.Doumit J, Prasad B.Sleep apnea in type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Spectr.2016;29(1):14–19. doi.org/10.2337/diaspect.29.1.14.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Peripheral neuropathy.Ferini-Strambi L.Neuropathic pain and sleep: a review.Pain Ther. 2017;6(Suppl 1):19-23. doi:10.1007/s40122-017-0089-yVlasie A, Trifu SC, Lupuleac C, Kohn B, Cristea MB.Restless legs syndrome: an overview of pathophysiology, comorbidities and therapeutic approaches (Review).Exp Ther Med. 2022;23(2):185. doi:10.3892/etm.2021.11108Cuellar NG, Dorn JM.Peripheral diabetic neuropathy or restless legs syndrome in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus: differentiating diagnosis in practice.J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 2015;27(12):671-675. doi:10.1002/2327-6924.12311Zobeiri M, Shokoohi A.Restless leg syndrome in diabetics compared with normal controls.Sleep Disord. 2014;2014:871751. doi:10.1155/2014/871751Kayukawa Y, Kitajima T, Tomita S, Okada T.[Primary insomnia].Nihon Rinsho.2009;67(8):1494-1500. Japanese. PMID:19768930
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Center for Disease Control.National Diabetes Statistics Report.Hirshkowitz M, Whiton K, Albert SM, et. al.National Sleep Foundation’s sleep time duration recommendations: methodology and results summary.Sleep Health. 2015;1(1):40-43. doi:10.1016/j.sleh.2014.12.010Koopman ADM, Beulens JW, Dijkstra T, et al.Prevalence of insomnia (symptoms) in T2D and association with metabolic parameters and glycemic control: meta-analysis.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2020;105(3):614-643. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgz065Reutrakul S, Van Cauter E.Sleep influences on obesity, insulin resistance, and risk of type 2 diabetes.Metabolism. 2018;84:56-66.Luyster FS, Dunbar-Jacob J.Sleep quality and quality of life in adults with type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Educ. 2011;37(3):347-355. doi:10.1177/0145721711400663Zhu B, Quinn L, Kapella MC, et al.Relationship between sleep disturbance and self-care in adults with type 2 diabetes.Acta Diabetol. 2018;55(9):963-970.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.The impact of poor sleep on type 2 diabetes.Doumit J, Prasad B.Sleep apnea in type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Spectr.2016;29(1):14–19. doi.org/10.2337/diaspect.29.1.14.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Peripheral neuropathy.Ferini-Strambi L.Neuropathic pain and sleep: a review.Pain Ther. 2017;6(Suppl 1):19-23. doi:10.1007/s40122-017-0089-yVlasie A, Trifu SC, Lupuleac C, Kohn B, Cristea MB.Restless legs syndrome: an overview of pathophysiology, comorbidities and therapeutic approaches (Review).Exp Ther Med. 2022;23(2):185. doi:10.3892/etm.2021.11108Cuellar NG, Dorn JM.Peripheral diabetic neuropathy or restless legs syndrome in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus: differentiating diagnosis in practice.J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 2015;27(12):671-675. doi:10.1002/2327-6924.12311Zobeiri M, Shokoohi A.Restless leg syndrome in diabetics compared with normal controls.Sleep Disord. 2014;2014:871751. doi:10.1155/2014/871751Kayukawa Y, Kitajima T, Tomita S, Okada T.[Primary insomnia].Nihon Rinsho.2009;67(8):1494-1500. Japanese. PMID:19768930
Center for Disease Control.National Diabetes Statistics Report.
Hirshkowitz M, Whiton K, Albert SM, et. al.National Sleep Foundation’s sleep time duration recommendations: methodology and results summary.Sleep Health. 2015;1(1):40-43. doi:10.1016/j.sleh.2014.12.010
Koopman ADM, Beulens JW, Dijkstra T, et al.Prevalence of insomnia (symptoms) in T2D and association with metabolic parameters and glycemic control: meta-analysis.J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2020;105(3):614-643. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgz065
Reutrakul S, Van Cauter E.Sleep influences on obesity, insulin resistance, and risk of type 2 diabetes.Metabolism. 2018;84:56-66.
Luyster FS, Dunbar-Jacob J.Sleep quality and quality of life in adults with type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Educ. 2011;37(3):347-355. doi:10.1177/0145721711400663
Zhu B, Quinn L, Kapella MC, et al.Relationship between sleep disturbance and self-care in adults with type 2 diabetes.Acta Diabetol. 2018;55(9):963-970.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.The impact of poor sleep on type 2 diabetes.
Doumit J, Prasad B.Sleep apnea in type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Spectr.2016;29(1):14–19. doi.org/10.2337/diaspect.29.1.14.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Peripheral neuropathy.
Ferini-Strambi L.Neuropathic pain and sleep: a review.Pain Ther. 2017;6(Suppl 1):19-23. doi:10.1007/s40122-017-0089-y
Vlasie A, Trifu SC, Lupuleac C, Kohn B, Cristea MB.Restless legs syndrome: an overview of pathophysiology, comorbidities and therapeutic approaches (Review).Exp Ther Med. 2022;23(2):185. doi:10.3892/etm.2021.11108
Cuellar NG, Dorn JM.Peripheral diabetic neuropathy or restless legs syndrome in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus: differentiating diagnosis in practice.J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 2015;27(12):671-675. doi:10.1002/2327-6924.12311
Zobeiri M, Shokoohi A.Restless leg syndrome in diabetics compared with normal controls.Sleep Disord. 2014;2014:871751. doi:10.1155/2014/871751
Kayukawa Y, Kitajima T, Tomita S, Okada T.[Primary insomnia].Nihon Rinsho.2009;67(8):1494-1500. Japanese. PMID:19768930
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