BodyLogicMD’s Hormone Therapy Blog

Recent studies have revealed a startling correlation between sleep apnea and diabetes. Did you know that one-third of all Americans with diabetes and 80% of all men suffering from moderate to severe sleep apnea haven’t even been diagnosed yet? What’s even more alarming is that scientists have said that sleep apnea and diabetes go hand in hand.

What is sleep apnea?

Sleep apnea is a term used to describe the condition where the tissues in the back of the throat intermittently collapse during sleep, which causes temporary pauses in breathing. These pauses can last for anywhere between a few seconds and a few minutes and can occur as often as 30 times per hour.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition where the pancreas does not produce enough of the hormone insulin. Insulin helps the cells absorb glucose from sugars, to burn off as energy. Diabetes is characterized by tell-tale symptoms such as polyuria and polydipsia, as well as chronic fatigue and significant weight loss.

What you can do about it:

• Slim down! One of the main catalysts for diabetics developing sleep apnea is being overweight. A recent Temple University study reported that losing weight can greatly reduce a diabetic’s chance of developing obstructive sleep apnea.
• Pass on the last call! There’s nothing wrong with having an occasional drink every now and again, but habitual drinking can greatly increase your risk of developing sleep apnea. As I’m sure you’re well aware, alcohol is sugar in its simplest form – what do you think the body processes it as? That’s right, sugar. High sugar consumption propagates insulin resistance which can lead to both diabetes and sleep apnea.
• Check your hormones! Get your hormone levels checked! Being that insulin is a hormone, a hormonal imbalance could very well be the culprit. But by the time diabetes or sleep apnea strike, it’s too late – the damage is already done. Both sleep apnea and diabetes have no known cure, however they both can be controlled and more importantly, they can be avoided all together. By eating right, exercising and making sure that your hormones are balanced, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing diabetes and sleep apnea, or any age-related disease for that matter.