Sleep apnea is a medical condition wherein the sufferer’s breathing is interrupted at various points during sleep due to an obstruction in the airway or the failure of the brain to signal the body to breathe.
It is a serious issue on its own, because it can cause a lack of oxygen to the brain and body and even result in death if the sleeper does not resume breathing soon enough.
It is also easily left undiagnosed because the patient isn’t awake to hear their snoring or feel themselves stop breathing.
But did you know your sleep apnea may also be trying to tell you something about the health of other areas of your body?
Some of the surprising health issues linked to sleep apnea include depression, stroke, high blood pressure, heart failure, headaches, worsening ADHD, and—now—diabetes.
New research has shown sleep apnea may be linked to an increased risk of insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and type 2 diabetes.
In a recent study which took over a decade to complete, 1,453 non-diabetic people with an average age of 63 participated in sleep studies in their own homes. They were placed into four categories: normal sleepers, mild sleep apnea, moderate sleep apnea, and severe sleep apnea.
At the end of the study, those with severe sleep apnea were 70% more likely to have developed type 2 diabetes than those with normal breathing patterns during sleep.
If you’re concerned you may have sleep apnea or that your sleep apnea may be contributing to other health issues, ask your doctor about your risk level and which tests may be right for you
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