Get Some Sleep, Or Risk Diabetes

Filed in archive Lifestyle on October 30, 2006

Yet another study has shown that we need more sleep, especially if we are at risk for diabetes. Along with the myriad of other problems missing our 'Z's' causes, it also increases our risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Conversely, poor sleeping patterns may also be a symptom of diabetes. Either way you look at it, not enough sleep=bad.

The finding suggests that one inexpensive way to improve the health of patients with type 2 diabetes might be to improve the duration and quality of their sleep.

"Sleep is modifiable," said kristen Knutson, research associate (assistant professor) in the department of health studies at the University of Chicago and first author of the paper. "We've known for some time that skimping on sleep can impair glucose tolerance even for healthy people. Now we have evidence connecting chronic partial sleep deprivation and reduced blood-sugar control in patients with diabetes."

"Although we can't be certain whether sleep loss makes diabetes worse or the diabetes interferes with sleep, it only makes sense for everyone, but especially patients with diabetes, to give themselves the opportunity to get enough sleep," Knutson said.