Treatment of Sleep Apnia (apnea) Lowers Blood Sugar in Diabetes
Related: Sleep Apnea Symptoms
Sleep apnia (apnea) is a frequently undiagnosed condition associated with heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, depression and most notably - diabetes. Newer research shows that treating sleep apnia can lower blood sugar levels in diabetes. These lower blood sugars can reduce the risk of blindness, kidney failure and nerve damage.
Research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine (Vol 165, No 4, February 28, 2005) showed significant reductions in blood sugars in people with diabetes while using continuous positive airway pressure masks or CPAP machines to treat sleep apnia.
How much does blood sugar drop when treating sleep apnea?
Blood sugars after meals dropped from damaging levels into
target levels to prevent complications with diabetes.
Examples:
Blood sugars after breakfast dropped from a mean of 191 mg/dL down to 130 mg/dL or 10.6 mmol/L to 7.2 mmol/L!
Blood sugars after lunch dropped from a mean of 196 mg/dL to 138 mg/dL or 10.9 mmol/L to 7.7 mmol/L!
Blood sugars after supper dropped from a mean of 199 mg/dL to 137 mg/dL or 11.0 mmol/L to 7.6 mmol/L!
Why the exclamation marks above?
Research shows that higher than normal blood sugars after eating are related to increased risk for heart disease. So much so, that even people with pre-diabetes are at 2-4 times the risk for heart disease. And just recently, the EDIC study for type 1 diabetes showed that reducing blood sugars can increase protection against heart disease by 50%!
Best results with longer
sleep apnea treatment.
The research showed that people with diabetes who used their CPAP machines for more than 4 hours per day showed the most improvement in blood sugars. The more days of 4 + hours with the CPAP mask the better the drop in three month average blood sugar.
The biggest bonus to
treating sleep apnia?
Feeling better. Research and just everyday patients that I see say that the biggest benefit to treating sleep apnea is the increased energy they have.
The lesson about sleep apnea . . .
Sleep apnia is more common in people with diabetes. And since about 1/3 of people with diabetes or pre-diabetes don't know they have blood sugar problems, please check guidelines for blood sugar levels if you have sleep apnea. Don't be unaware of your risk for diabetes and its complicatons of heart disease, eye, kidney and nerve damage.
Likewise, if you have diabetes, check the symptoms for sleep apnea.
See your family doctor if you think you have a sleep disorder. Remember the effects of sleep apnia treatment on lowering hbga1c and average blood sugars can vary between individuals and may not mimic the results in research.
In the mean time, try to lose weight, stay active, reduce alcohol and caffeinated beverages close to bedtime. These can all improve sleep.
The above research regarding blood sugars and sleep apnea has its limitations. It was conducted with a small group of people. It will hopefully lead to more research with larger study groups. Do not expect your blood sugars to respond the same as those in the study.
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Want more ways to lower blood glucose other than treating sleep apnia (apnea)?
Specific methods to lower blood sugars other than the treatment of sleep apnia, are on these pages.
How to lower fasting blood sugars
How to lower blood sugars at lunch.
How to lower blood sugar levels at supper.
How to lower bedtime blood glucose levels .
Because the answer to your question is important, please keep searching till you find it. Good Health!
REFERENCE: Babu, A. et al. Type 2 Diabetes, Glycemic Control and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Archives of Internal Medicine. Vol 165 No. 4, Feb 28, 2005. pp447-452.
This site is for educational purposes only and not to be used as medical advice. Please read the disclaimer .
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