Diabetic patients often suffer from a combination of sleep deprivation and poor sleep quality. The metabolic disorders associated with diabetes cause secondary physiopathological changes in a variety of tissues and organs, of which the adverse effects on the central nervous system (including neurobehavioral and neurotransmitter abnormalities and autonomic dysfunction) may lead to sleep disturbances.
Generally speaking, sleep can be called good if you can fall asleep within 10 to 15 minutes and never wake up during the whole sleep and wake up comfortably. The following can be considered as sleep disorders: difficulty in falling asleep, poor sleep, strange awakening after sleep, sleepiness, early awakening, difficulty in falling asleep after waking up, feeling uncomfortable or tired after waking up, daytime sleepiness, etc. Generally adults have 7 to 8 hours of sleep per day, and elderly people have 5 to 6 hours of sleep, which is enough.
Why is the occurrence and development of diabetes closely related to sleep disorders? On the one hand, sleep disorders promote the occurrence of type 2 diabetes and affect the control of blood sugar in diabetic patients; on the other hand, diabetic patients, especially those with poor blood sugar control, often have sleep disorders, which will form a vicious circle in the long run.
Sleep disorders can affect the glycemic control of diabetic patients Patients with long-term sleep disorders can cause an increase in the amount of oxygen in the body and an exuberant energy metabolism compared to the sleep state, which can easily cause the risk of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. Glycosylated hemoglobin can increase in diabetic patients, and both fasting and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose can be elevated.
Various chronic complications can exacerbate sleep disorders In patients with diabetes complicated by chronic complications there is intermittent pain at the end of the extremities, numbness and itching of the skin, abnormal sensation of temperature, and increased nocturnal urination, which can continuously form a vicious circle and thus exacerbate sleep disorders.
Acute complications can affect sleep quality Nocturnal hypoglycemia, hyperosmolar coma and ketoacidosis are common acute complications in diabetic patients, which not only affect the quality of sleep, but also may endanger patients’ lives.
In short, the key points of good sleep: live a regular life, go with the flow, create a good environment for sleep, do not crave food at night, stay away from caffeine and nicotine, do not drink alcohol 4 to 6 hours before bedtime, regular physical exercise, and nap for no more than 60 minutes.
