Prediabetic Patients May Lower Their Risk by Seeking OSA Treatment

When someone is diagnosed with prediabetes, they are usually told to adjust their diet, lose weight, and exercise. For most patients, that is excellent advice. However, it may leave out an important piece of the puzzle: sleep. Let’s discuss how the quality of your sleep may affect your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and what you can do to both improve your shuteye and gain improved control of your blood sugar.

Poor Quality Sleep and Prediabetes

A recent study in the UK asked 40 prediabetic individuals to rate the quality of their sleep. The researchers uncovered a significant correlation between poor sleep and a higher A1c (A1c is a measurement of average blood sugar levels over a period of three months). Patients with higher A1c levels are at the greatest risk of their prediabetes progressing to full-on type 2 diabetes.

The connection between diabetes and poor sleep has long been acknowledged. However, this was one of the first studies to specifically examine the link between prediabetes and sleep quality.

Of course, there are many factors that can contribute to poor sleep, including stress, mental health problems, physical pain, and more. Often, though, the culprit behind poor-quality rest is a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea in Melbourne.

Improving the Quality of Your Sleep

If you believe that the poor quality of your sleep is increasing your risk of becoming diabetic, it is important that you take prompt action. Here are some things you can do that may improve your sleep and help to keep your blood sugar levels under control:

• Undergo a sleep test. This is a simple overnight diagnostic procedure wherein a machine monitors your breathing and other vital statistics.
• Seek sleep apnea treatment. If the results of your sleep test reveal that you have sleep apnea, you may find that an oral appliance is the best treatment. It is a small, mouthguard-like device that repositions the jaw to facilitate better breathing at night.
• Adjust your diet. Of course, cutting back on refined sugars will help to keep your blood glucose levels where they belong. It may also help you to lose weight, which can reduce pressure on your airway and lessen symptoms of sleep apnea.
• Manage other causes of poor sleep. For example, you may need counseling to improve your mental health. You might also benefit from investing in a new mattress to enjoy more comfortable rest.

If you have been diagnosed with prediabetes, it is urgent that you do all you can to reverse your condition before it progresses. Sleep apnea treatment may help you do that.

Meet the Sleep Apnea Expert

Dr. Kenneth Mogell is a double-board certified dental sleep medicine expert who focuses primarily on helping patients fight obstructive sleep apnea via oral appliance therapy. He has already served countless patients in Melbourne, and he would be pleased to consult with you as well. To learn more about him and his services, contact any of our convenient locations or give us a call at 321-313-5350.