A good night’s sleep is an essential part of good diabetes management. Sleep is vital to good physical health as it affects blood sugar levels. Over the years, people have been experiencing a fast-paced, hectic lifestyle. This has led to increasing obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes. Some may say that the relationship between blood glucose levels and sleep is complex, but the simple truth is that sleep (or the lack of it) affects the body’s blood sugar as much as it affects our sleep.

What you need to know:

Introduction to the relationship between sleep and diabetes
Importance of both sleep and stable blood sugar levels for overall health
Understanding blood sugar regulation and sleep patterns
How does lack of sleep affect blood sugar?
How does blood glucose affect sleep?

Introduction to the relationship between sleep and diabetes

Sleep is a crucial aspect of diabetes management. Not getting enough sleep can increase the risk of type-2 diabetes, and for people with diabetes, it can negatively affect eating patterns, insulin response, and mental health. So, it’s vital that people with diabetes, like others, get at least seven hours of good night’s sleep.

Importance of both sleep and stable blood sugar levels for overall health

Sleep will always be essential for your overall well-being. When you sleep, your body maintains your physical health and supports healthy brain function. In young people, it can also help in growth and development. Good sleep is necessary as it affects how we think, behave and react, improving our immune system, metabolism, cognition and respiratory system. Our blood sugar levels are equally significant for maintaining good health. Ridding yourself of sugar and junk carbs will prevent chronic diseases and keep your overall health in good condition.

Understanding blood sugar regulation and sleep patterns

The insulin the pancreas produces is primarily responsible for regulating sugar in our bloodstream. High insulin drives sugar out of our bloodstream and into the muscles, liver, and fat. The excess glucose is stored in reserves. Lack of sleep causes increased cortisol levels (stress hormone), which in turn increases blood glucose levels. Our sleep patterns usually combine several stages with 4 to 6 sleep cycles. A regular sleep cycle includes a rapid eye movement (REM) cycle and non-REM sleep.

How does lack of sleep affect blood sugar?

Lack of adequate sleep can lead to blood sugar level spikes due to the following reasons:

The insulin resistance in our body increases.
It makes losing weight difficult, thus storing the excess calories.
You tend to eat foods with more carbs and sugar, which affects your hunger by making you feel less satiated.
Your immune system can weaken, making you vulnerable to other diseases.
It can make you susceptible to heart attacks.
Sleep and diabetes are related to your mental health. Inadequate sleep can increase the risk of anxiety and depression.

How does blood glucose affect sleep?

Blood sugar levels can adversely affect the quality of sleep. People with high blood sugar can experience poor sleep due to overstimulation and a lack of magnesium. Hypoglycemia, on the other hand, can cause night sweats, nightmares, irritation, and confusion.

We have successfully replaced sugar with healthier alternatives, but sleep cannot be substituted. Whether or not you have diabetes, the importance of sleep for good physical and mental health cannot be stressed enough. It’s challenging to juggle hectic work schedules and family chores on a day-to-day basis, but as someone with diabetes, a good night’s sleep and diabetes management have to be prioritized over the rest.

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