Can Sleep Apnea Make Diabetes Worse?

Weight gain and/or being overweight is one of the most common risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Now, a new study in the medical journal Diabetes Care supports prior research indicating that sleep apnea, another condition aggravated by excess weight, can increase the likelihood of complications in patients with diabetes.

Sleep apnea and diabetes have been linked in earlier studies. Researchers have found that the lapses in breathing during sleep caused by apnea disrupt the body’s ability to control blood sugar levels. Because diabetes patients already struggle to regulate their blood sugar, sleep apnea could exacerbate this problem even further.

Because of this evidence, patients who have or are at risk of developing diabetes should be aware of the symptoms of sleep apnea. One of the earliest signs is severe snoring, potentially followed by:

• Daytime fatigue
• Sore, dry throat when first waking up
• Changes in mood
• Nocturia (regularly waking up to urinate during the night)

An increasing number of doctors have reported that weight loss and exercise can help alleviate the severity of sleep apnea. Patients with diabetes also benefit from adherence to a fitness regimen, which can help control weight, lower blood pressure, and train the body to manage blood sugar levels better.

If you suffer from sleep apnea, please contact a qualifiedsleep doctor in your area or call 1-866-727-6275 (1-8-NO-PAP-MASK) to find out more about treatment options.

Simple Tips to Stop Snoring

You’ve heard of an electric blanket, but have you heard of an electric pillow? This new product claims to be able to detect the vibrations caused by snoring and make the snorer move to a different position using an inflatable air bladder within the pillow. However, you can also stop snoring effectively without buying expensive technology.

Snoring is an inconvenience for those sleeping nearby, but for the snorer the loud breathing can be an early indicator of sleep apnea, a very serious medical condition where breathing stops during sleep. Fortunately, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, and some instances of snoring are treatable without spending a lot of money or making major lifestyle changes.

The following methods can help stop snoring by preventing the tongue, throat, and other structures from becoming too relaxed and blocking the airway during sleep:

• Sleeping on your side; taping a tennis ball to your back while you sleep is one way to modify this behavior
• Not drinking alcohol to excess, especially in the four or five hours before going to bed
• Losing weight
• Keeping your nasal passages open with nose strips or a warm shower before bedtime

If you’re looking for manageable ways to stop snoring, please contact a qualified sleepdoctor in your area or call 1-866-727-6275 (1-8-NO-PAP-MASK) today.

Study: Weight Loss Can Alleviate Sleep Apnea

Researchers in Finland recently found that even losing a moderate amount of weight can lead to a reduction in the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. Before embarking on any sleep apnea treatment, it’s important to consult a qualified physician who can assess your overall health and make informed recommendations.

Obstructive sleep apnea is the interruption of breathing during sleep because of blockage in the airway, such as overly relaxed muscles in the mouth or throat. According to the Finnish study, patients who lost approximately five percent of their body weight experienced a reduction in the severity of their sleep apnea. If left untreated, sleep apnea can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other serious health issues.

Though the link between obesity and sleep apnea is still being examined, weight loss can be beneficial for your health whether you have sleep apnea or not. After you set specific, definable goals, the following keys can help you lose weight healthily:

• Identifying and consistently remembering the reason you’re losing weight, such as a healthier lifestyle or a more attractive physique
• Tracking your calorie intake
• Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
• Substituting oils, fats, and dairy products with low-fat alternatives
• Maintaining a regular exercise regimen
• Talk with friends and family who can encourage and support you while you pursue your weight loss plan

To find out more about sleep apnea treatments, please contact an experienced sleepdoctor in your area or call 1-866-727-6275 (1-8-NO-PAP-MASK) today.

Study Finds Sleep Apnea Symptoms More Pronounced, Harder to Detect in Women

New research conducted by the UCLA School of Nursing found that some of the ill health effects caused by sleep apnea can be a “hidden,” but very real, danger to women. If you’re concerned about how sleep apnea symptoms could affect your overall health, it’s important to seek early treatment from a qualified sleep doctor.

The UCLA researchers measured the heart rate of male and female sleep apnea patients after a series of physical tests. Though both the men and women with sleep apnea who participated in the study exhibited weakness and delay of heart rate in response to exertion, the effect was more apparent in the female participants than their male counterparts.

Paradoxically, though the impact of sleep apnea symptoms in women is more severe than men, the symptoms themselves are also subtle and more difficult to detect. Assessing both the increased severity of symptoms and difficulty of diagnosis, the UCLA team stressed the importance of early detection and treatment for women with sleep apnea.

The researchers noted that a woman with sleep apnea can appear healthy, making misdiagnosis more likely. Failure to catch sleep apnea early in women could increase the risk for heart disease and other conditions where the body struggles to adapt to everyday activities.

To find out more about sleep apnea symptoms, early diagnosis, and treatment, please contact asleep doctor in your area or call 1-866-727-6275 (1-8-NO-PAP-MASK) today.