8. Type 2 Diabetes: The Glucose Connection
The link between sleep apnea and Type 2 Diabetes may not be as intuitive, but it’s vital. Your body’s ability to regulate blood sugar is, in part, determined by the quality of sleep you get. A disrupted sleep pattern throws this system out of whack, complicating how your body handles glucose.
Insulin is the hormone responsible for regulating your blood sugar levels. During episodes of sleep apnea, your body experiences stress, leading to the release of other hormones that directly interfere with insulin’s effectiveness. This creates a situation where your body needs to produce more insulin to keep blood sugar levels in check, setting the stage for insulin resistance, a precursor to Type 2 Diabetes.
As we peel back the layers, it’s clear that sleep apnea doesn’t just affect sleep quality; it impacts metabolic processes that are vital for overall health. Your body’s ability to efficiently use insulin gets compromised, leading to elevated blood sugar levels, which in turn increases the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes over time. (8)
