That’s right! March 22, 2016 is National Diabetes Day! While this might only be one day, it is important to keep raising awareness for diabetes all year long. This is especially true because of the connect between diabetes and sleep apnea.
So, in light of National Diabetes Day, let’s talk about an area of sleep apnea you might not have realized was connected: Co-morbid conditions. Comorbidity is a health condition that often exists at the same time in the same person as a different condition. This doesn’t necessarily mean that one health condition causes the other, but it does mean that the two conditions are so frequently found together that doctors acknowledge that there is some kind of connection between them.
Comorbidities of sleep apnea have been shown to include a number of health conditions, including diabetes, so let’s take a closer look:
Type 2 Diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes it is very common to also suffer from sleep apnea. Additionally, type 2 diabetes can also lead to obesity, which is another common comorbidity of sleep apnea. Both diabetes and sleep apnea share a long list of 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 rest, it can also help treat and maybe even eradicate many other diabetic complications. Taking charge of your diabetes and sleep apnea can potentially improve your health and save your life—it’s worth seeking treatment immediately.
Sleep apnea can be easily treated to prevent many of the above comorbidities. Now is the time to take charge of your health by visiting Craniofacial Pain and Dental Sleep Center of Georgia for proper treatment planning—your health and life will benefit in the long run.
