Over 29 million Americans suffer from diabetes and may be at risk of another serious medical condition. Sleep apnea, an often unnoticed breathing condition, is becoming prevalent in people with diabetes. According to the medical staff at Mille Lacs Health System in Onamia, MN, it’s imperative to understand the connection. Sleep apnea can drastically affect your health, especially if you have diabetes. Recognizing if you're at risk will allow you to seek preventative treatment sooner and stop the condition’s onset.

Sleep apnea is a condition defined by pauses in breathing while you’re asleep. This can occur once a night or even hundreds of times in more serious cases.The pauses may be momentary or can last over a minute.The danger is that oxygen deprivation causes a buildup of carbon monoxide in the body. This drastically affects crucial bodily functions, including respiratory and cardiovascular health. It also has adverse effects on the quality of sleep, which has been linked to many other health conditions. There are many causes of sleep apnea, and type 2 diabetes has become one of the most prevalent.

Poor sleep is often associated with type 2 diabetes, and studies show that diabetic patients have a 50 percent chance of developing sleep apnea. Obesity, hyperglycemia, and other shared risk factors between the two conditions are often the cause and can significantly worsen diabetes. Sleep apnea has been shown to increase glucose, making it more difficult to manage. It also increases the likelihood of more severe medical events, including stroke and heart attack. It can be difficult to self-diagnose sleep apnea. If you feel chronically fatigued, have high-blood pressure, or are told you snore loudly, you should seek a consultation. Mille Lacs Health System has a Sleep Studies program, and a study can be conducted on the Onamia campus to observe you and note any signs of sleep apnea.

If you’re concerned about sleep apnea or need assistance with diabetes management, turn to the medical professionals at Mille Lacs Health System. They have a dedicated team of individuals to help you with diabetes education, and other services to help keep you healthy. Call (320) 532-3154 today to schedule an appointment and visit their website and Facebook to learn more about their services.