The Connection Between a Lack of Sleep and the Increased Risk of Developing Diabetes

A drawing of different equipment used by diabetes patients

Description of Diabetes and the Negative Consequences on Health

Diabetes is a metabolic disease characterized by high rates of blood glucose also called blood sugar. Excessively high levels of blood sugar have a significantly bad impact on the tissues and organs of your body. High blood glucose harms your health and shortens your life span. There are numerous negative consequences of prolonged high blood sugar. These include eye conditions leading to blindness and nerve disease which can end in amputations. Additionally, diabetes can cause kidney failure (requiring dialysis or a transplant), heart disease and other issues such as dental and bladder problems.

Studies indicate that diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and causes serious psychological distress. Furthermore, diabetes lowers the life expectancy of individuals by ten years and has an average cost of treatment of more than 85 thousand dollars per patient. 

The Important Function of the Insulin Hormone to Reduce Blood Sugar

In a healthy individual, high levels of blood sugar prompt the production of the insulin hormone. With the help of insulin, glucose is transferred from the blood to the muscles, liver and other cells. This is done by opening up special channels on the cells’ surface through which excess blood sugar can be drained. Insulin triggers the cells of the body to absorb the glucose and use it for energy. In the body of people suffering from diabetes this process is disturbed. This is the case when the body has trouble producing insulin or when the insulin is less effective. This is called insulin resistance, which is the hallmark symptom of diabetes.

A small spoon full of sugar

An Overview of the Different Types of Diabetes

There are two main types of diabetes:

  • Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, which usually strikes early in teenage years. The cells of the pancreas are attacked, completely preventing the production of the hormone insulin.
  • Type 2 diabetes is a long-term medical condition in which your body is unable to use insulin properly. The insulin hormone is still produced, but the body has become resistant to it. As a result insulin is less effective than normal, resulting into sugar building up in the blood.

The Connection Between Sleep Deprivation and Type 2 Diabetes

Research indicates there is a clear link between sleep deprivation and diabetes. Healthy individuals who sleep only four to five hours, for six nights, are 40 percent less effective at absorbing a standard dose of glucose compared to when they were fully rested. This is because the cells of sleep deprived individuals start to stubbornly ignore the signals provided by insulin. As a result they refuse to open up their surface channels through which excess glucose would normally be ejected. Dangerous levels of glucose in the blood are repelled instead of absorbed. This results in a rising tide of blood sugar and a pre-diabetic state of hyperglycemia. This is the precursor of full-blown type 2 diabetes.

Studies indicate that sleep deprivation is one of the major contributors to the escalation of type 2 diabetes, as well as obesity. There are different sleep factors which can impact blood sugar levels such as the amount of time and the time of day a person sleeps. Other factors include the person’s age and his/her eating habits. Furthermore, sleep deprivation causes an increased cortisol production, reduced insulin sensitivity and increased inflammation. All of these mechanisms impact the levels of glucose in the blood, thus increasing the likelihood of developing diabetes.

A woman lying in bed unable to sleep

The Bidirectional Relationship Between Sleep Deprivation and Type 2 Diabetes

Sleep deprivation and diabetes have a bidirectional relationship. Not only does sleep deprivation increase the likelihood of developing diabetes, it goes both ways. Studies indicate that about one in two people with type 2 diabetes have sleep problems. This is caused by unstable blood sugar levels during the night which can cause insomnia, stress and next-day fatigue. If the blood sugar levels are too high this can cause frequent urination, headaches and thirst during the night, which significantly disrupt sleep. On the other hand, if the blood sugar is too low this can cause nightmares and sweating during the night. Additionally, this can cause irritation and confusion when waking up in the morning.