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    • Providing Health and Well Being Through Proper Sleep Will Change Your Life
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    The Importance of Sleep in Managing Diabetes

    A person with diabetes faces many challenges, from proper diet to monitoring blood sugar levels. You must be well-rested to meet these added difficulties with an alert, focused mind.

    Ironically, this condition that causes the need for extra rest tends to be one that steals proper sleep away. What are the threats to your sleep health, and how can these difficulties be overcome? Empower yourself by understanding the causes and treatments of sleep deprivation.

    Causes of Sleep Deprivation for Diabetics

    Diabetes is a condition caused by the body’s lack of insulin, produced to regulate sugar levels. Out-of-control blood sugar leads to damage of the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart. This condition can cause reduced sleep because of the following main reasons:

    • Varied symptoms of the disease

      Symptoms of sugar that has fallen too low: shakiness, dizziness, and sweating can make it hard to fall or remain asleep.

    • Increased frequency of urination

      The kidneys try to filter out high sugar levels through urination. This process can cause several bathroom trips throughout the night, disrupting sleep.

    • Heightened sensations of thirst and hunger

      Frequent urination pulls water from your tissues, causing you to awaken because of thirst at times. The body may try to compensate for all of the sleep disruptions by seeking energy through food intake. Signals of thirst and hunger can make sleep impossible until the cravings are satisfied.

    • Intensified experience of sleep apnea

      This common sleep disorder occurs when a person experiences brief times when breathing is paused, punctuated by gasping and loud snoring. The results can be life-threatening and must be taken seriously.

    Sleep deprivation causes a vicious cycle. It intensifies diabetic symptoms, which in turn makes it harder to rest well. Take steps to break the dangerous cycle.

    Treatments of Sleep Deprivation for Diabetics

    There are many practical steps you can take to develop healthier sleep patterns:

    • Adopt an enjoyable exercise routine

      Reduce stress and gain energy through exercise. Find creative ways to add movement into your routine.

    • Develop a nourishing diet

      Focus on whole, natural foods and avoid sugary and processed ones. Stay well-hydrated throughout the day, but limit liquid intake in the evening to reduce bathroom trips at night.

    • Consider a sleep aid

      Consult with your doctor if you experience symptoms of sleep apnea.

    Be willing to try sleeping devices such as a “continuous positive airway pressure” (CPAP) machine. The benefit to your health far outweighs a temporary inconvenience or adjustment period.

    Having diabetes does not doom you to poor sleep. Instead, it is the management of diabetes that is the key. Pinpoint the source of your sleep difficulties through a professional sleep study. Call for this life-saving appointment today. Proper sleep is the first essential step in effectively addressing your condition.

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