Sleep Apnea and Diabetes

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Sleep Apnea and Diabetes
Diabetes.co.uk

Sleep Apnoea, also called sleep apnea, is a common breathing disorder that affects many people whilst they sleep, could be an early warning that diabetes development is underway. Numerous medical studies have linked obstructive sleep apnoea with greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

According to experts, side effects directly related to sleep apnoea could influence the metabolism of people as they sleep. The condition is surprisingly common, to the extent that sleep apnoea has been termed: ‘the silent epidemic.’

Sleep apnoea affects as many as one-tenth of middle-aged men, and manifests itself as an interruption of breathing during the hours of sleep. The correlation between sleep and diabetes is well-proven, with interruptions to deep sleep a key part of diabetes risk. Obesity makes both diabetes and sleep apnoea more likely.
Why does sleep apnoea damage the body and lead to greater risk of diabetes?

Sleep apnoea is thought to be dangerous because it affects the concentration of oxygen within the bloodstream. It also plays havoc with sleep patterns, and can lead to daytime fatigue in more serious cases. The actual mechanism that causes sleep apnoea to influence oxygen
If I have sleep apnoea, am I a diabetic?

Not necessarily, but having sleep apnoea does mean an increased risk of developing diabetes.
Is OSAS the same as sleep apnoea?

OSAS stands for Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome.
What are the symptoms of Sleep Apnoea?

Sleep Apnoea occurs when an obstruction gets in the way of air entering the lungs. These short periods of stopping breathing are generally limited to a less than 10 seconds, and can occur often during the night. Generally, the brain works the sleeping person up when apnoea occurs, often with a snore or snort.
How serious is Sleep Apnoea?

Experts advice all people with sleep apnoea, however mild or severe, to seek a diabetes test. Sleep apnoea can range from very mild to serious, and is measured by the number of apnoeas and hypoapnoeas per night.