Snoring and diabetes are two completely different health issues; however, they are related more than you would think. These two conditions happen frequently in individuals across the nation, and snoring can be both a symptom of and a contributing factor to diabetes. Read on to find out just how closely linked these two health issues are.
Lack of Sleep
A lack of sleep can play a part in both snoring and diabetes. In individuals with diabetes, sleep loss can be caused by this condition. For people who are prone to snoring, a lack of sleep can make their snoring even louder. But the connection between the two conditions and a lack of sleep goes further. You are more likely to eat sugary, high-calorie foods throughout the day if you did not get a good night’s sleep. Additionally, most people who snore heavily are not getting a good night’s sleep because the quality of their sleep is negatively affected.
Scientists and doctors have suggested that a pre-diabetic state can be cause by sleep deprivation because of the way your body reacts to it. They found that your body treats sleep deprivation and insulin resistance in almost the same way. Your body uses insulin to turn glucose into energy, and high blood pressure happens when your cells do not use this hormone correctly. This situation is called insulin resistance, and the high levels can become dangerous as it can damage your heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. To sum up, people who snore are likely getting a poor quality of sleep, which can increase their risk of developing diabetes.
Weight Gain
Weight gain is a risk factor for both snoring and diabetes. As mentioned before, people who snore probably are not getting a good night’s sleep. This leads to a higher consumption of sugary, high calorie foods that their tired bodies crave. This can lead to weight gain, and carrying around extra pounds makes you more likely to develop type II diabetes.
On the other hand, if you are overweight and have diabetes, your risk for snoring is greatly increased.
Sleep Apnea
Individuals who have diabetes often develop obstructive sleep apnea, which can increase your risk of high blood pressure, stroke or heart attack. This condition means that there is intermittent airflow blockage during sleep, causing your quality of sleep to suffer. A common symptom of this condition is snoring that is very loud and chronic. You may also sound like you are choking or gasping as you sleep. It’s important to see a sleep doctor in New York City if you snore to rule out this condition.
What You Can Do
Snoring can indirectly increase your risk for developing diabetes. There are a number of methods to stop snoring and improve your quality of sleep.
• Try changing up your sleeping position. Sleeping on your back can increase your snoring, so try sleeping on your side or stomach. If you are having trouble changing positions, try using a body pillow to help you stay in your chosen position.
• Avoid alcohol: Alcohol and sedatives can increase your likelihood of snoring, so avoid them a few hours before bedtime. Even some people who don’t normally snore will after drinking.
• Open nasal passages: Keeping nasal passages open as you sleep may help if your snoring starts in your nose. Try a hot shower before bed or using a neti pot to help open your airways.
• Change your pillows: There may be allergens in your room that contribute to your snoring, and they may be luring on your pillow. Make sure to change your pillowcase often, and even wash your pillow periodically too.
Sleep MD is your go-to sleep doctor in New York City and can help you take control of your sleep. Our team of expert doctors and dedicated staff can help you get a better night’s sleep with state of the art technologies and therapies. With multiple locations in New York City, Sleep MD can help you with insomnia, snoring, sleep apnea and much more!
