One of the reasons why diabetes affects sleep is that symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia can make it hard to fall asleep and lead to waking up at night.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n When blood sugar is high, the kidneys excrete more urine in order to overcompensate. As a result, sleeping with high blood sugar levels can cause disturbed sleep because of frequent nighttime urination. Symptoms such as dry mouth, nausea, and headaches can wake you up at night or prevent you from falling asleep.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Low blood sugar can also lead to a condition called nocturnal hypoglycemia. This can affect sleep due to issues such as shaking, restlessness, abnormal breathing, and racing heartbeats.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The emotional toll of living with diabetes can also affect sleep because mental health problems such as depression and anxiety often lead to insomnia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n People with diabetes often experience health problems such as Sleep Apnea, Restless Leg Syndrome, and Diabetic Neuropathy, which can significantly affect sleep.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n It\u2019s crucial to understand these conditions in order to assess whether there\u2019s a possibility you may have them and to adjust your sleeping habits in a way that prevents their specific symptoms.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Sleep apnea is a condition mainly characterized by a lack of proper breathing during sleep. This disrupts the body\u2019s oxygen supply and can lead to a variety of unpleasant symptoms.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n According to a study<\/u><\/a>, 48% of people that had type 2 diabetes were also diagnosed with Sleep Apnea. Research also suggests that individuals with type 1 diabetes may be more likely to have sleep apnea.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n There are three kinds of sleep apnea.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type, and it is characterized by a relaxation in the muscles in the back of the throat. This over-relaxation leads to airways narrowing or closing, consequently causing a cut-off in breathing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain is unable to send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing, resulting in periods of no breathing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Complex sleep apnea syndrome occurs when obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea occur together.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Central and obstructive sleep apnea tend to have the following symptoms:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Another sleep disorder often experienced<\/u><\/a> by patients with Type 2 Diabetes is Restless Legs Syndrome.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n This disorder is characterized by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs due to uncomfortable sensations such as throbbing and aching.<\/p>\r\n Accompanying symptoms include:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Diabetic Neuropathy is a condition in which nerve damage causes symptoms such as sharp pains.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The most common kind of Diabetic Neuropathy is Peripheral Neuropathy, and it is estimated<\/u><\/a> to affect between 6% and 51% of patients with diabetes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Symptoms include:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The best sleeping position for diabetics highly depends on whether there\u2019s a co-occurring disorder that affects sleep.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Therefore, it\u2019s advisable to consult a doctor in order to diagnose or rule out these disorders in case you have associated symptoms. In turn, you can adjust your sleeping habits according to the following recommendations:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If you have sleep apnea, the best sleeping positions are on your side or on your belly. That\u2019s because these positions help the airways stay open, which in turn reduces symptoms of sleep apnea.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If you choose to sleep on your stomach, make sure to choose a thin pillow to avoid a stiff neck when waking up.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Sleeping on your back is not advisable because gravity can make the tongue relax, obstructing the airways.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n To prevent sleep disturbance from Sleep Apnea, it\u2019s also advisable to seek out treatments such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If you have RLS, the best sleeping positions are on the side with a pillow in between your legs or on your back with a pillow under your legs because they promote blood flow.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Another tip is to use a Sequential Compression Device (SCD). This device fits in the legs and massages them by inflating and deflating. According to a study<\/u><\/a>, using an SCD for an hour before bedtime for three months reduced symptoms of RLS and improved social function, daily task function, sleep quality, and emotional well-being.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n According to a study<\/u><\/a>, the best sleeping positions for patients with Diabetic Neuropathy<\/a> are on the back with a pillow under the legs, on the side with a pillow in between the legs, and on a recliner. This is because these positions extend the spine, in turn decompressing the nerves that control the feet.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If you don’t have one of these health problems, you can sleep either on your back or on your side. Both these positions promote spinal support and alignment, which relieves pressure on the spinal tissues and allows muscles to relax.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n There are a variety of ways to improve your sleep quality, and this article wouldn\u2019t be complete without discussing them.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Let\u2019s go over some tips diabetics can use to achieve a good night\u2019s rest.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n A healthy diet, particularly one that controls blood glucose levels<\/a>, not only helps you lose weight but is also essential for a good night\u2019s sleep. That\u2019s because blood sugar fluctuations are one of the most common causes of inadequate sleep for diabetics. They can cause both difficulties falling asleep and sleep disruption by making you wake up at night.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n In order to ensure blood sugar control, it\u2019s advisable to have a nighttime snack that has a low glycemic index and includes healthy proteins and fats. These foods can effectively satisfy hunger while preventing blood sugar spikes at night.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"How](\"https:\/\/mydiabetes.health\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/11\/How-Does-Diabetes-Affect-Sleep_-shutterstock_1928918450-1.webp\")
<\/picture><\/p>\r\nDiabetes and Co-occurring Health Disorders<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Diabetes](\"https:\/\/mydiabetes.health\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Diabetes-and-Co-occurring-Health-Disorders-shutterstock_321934868.webp\")
<\/picture><\/p>\r\nSleep Apnea<\/h3>\r\n
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Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)<\/h3>\r\n
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Diabetic Neuropathy<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Best Sleeping Position for Diabetics<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Best](\"https:\/\/mydiabetes.health\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Best-Sleeping-Position-for-Diabetics_-shutterstock_424231576.webp\")
<\/picture><\/p>\r\nBest Sleeping Position for Sleep Apnea<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Best Sleeping Position for Restless Legs Syndrome<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Best Sleeping Position for Diabetic Neuropathy<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Best Sleeping Position for Diabetics<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Tips for Improving Your Sleep<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Tips](\"https:\/\/mydiabetes.health\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Tips-for-Improving-Your-Sleep-shutterstock_2041301294.webp\")
<\/picture><\/p>\r\nMaintain a Healthy Diet<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Engage in Regular Exercise<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"sleeping](\"https:\/\/mydiabetes.health\/blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Conclusion-shutterstock_1149647606.webp\")
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