Snoring, sleep apnea linked to symptoms of diabetes

A research team from the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston conducted a study to investigate the connection of sleep disorders to type 2 diabetes in older adults. The team collected and analyzed data from nearly 6,000 American seniors from 1989 to 1993.

At the time of the study, none of the participants were diagnosed with diabetes. The team monitored insulin every six months and visited participants to see if they had experienced any sleep apnea, daytime drowsiness or insomnia events, according to a Newsmax article.

Higher fasting blood sugars were evident among those participants experiencing snoring and sleep apnea than those who slept soundly.

“Recent evidence suggests that diabetes patients have a higher prevalence of sleep disturbances than the general population. However, less is known about whether symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in older adults,” lead author Linn Beate Strand, MSci, PhD, told Newsmax.

The only way to determine diabetes, however, is through a blood test.  A good night’s sleep is as important to healthy aging as nutrition and exercise, according to Eve Van Cauter, a sleep and metabolism researcher at the University of Chicago.

Sandra Hoban

Sandra Hoban was on I Advance Senior Care / Long-Term Living’s editorial staff for 17 years. She is one of the country’s longest-serving senior care journalists. Before joining Long-Term Living, she was a member of the promotions department at Advanstar Communications. In addition to her editorial experience, Sandi has served past roles in print and broadcast advertising as a traffic and talent coordinator.