If you have type 2 diabetes, you should also be watching out for sleep apnea. In fact, in a 2013 study it stated that people with type 2 diabetes can have a nearly 50-50 chance of being diagnosed with sleep apnea. Since sleep apnea can worsen diabetes symptoms, it is important to seek treatment right away.
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Approximately 27 million people in the United States currently suffer from type 2 diabetes. And, another 86 million suffering from prediabetes. Diabetes occurs when your pancreas makes insulin, but the cells don’t use it as well as they should—this is insulin resistance. At first, the pancreas makes more insulin to try to get glucose into your cells. However, eventually it can’t keep up and sugar begins to build up in your blood instead.
What is the Connection?
People suffering from Type 2 diabetes will often also suffer from sleep apnea, which can also lead to obesity. As you might know, obesity is another common comorbidity of sleep apnea. In addition to obesity, diabetes and sleep apnea share a long list of other potential complications, including:
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular disease
- Eye disease
- Changes in glucose metabolism
- Weight control problems
While treating sleep apnea is important in getting a good night’s sleep, treatment can also help treat and maybe even eradicate many other diabetic complications.
Seek Treatment for Sleep Apnea
Treating sleep apnea is vital. To help prevent the worsening of symptoms, talk to Dr. Foster about oral appliance therapy. With oral appliance therapy, you can find relief from your sleep apnea symptoms, as well as your type 2 diabetes.
Contact our Warrenton, VA dentist, Dr. Foster, to learn more about the connection between sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes.