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The Relationship Between Blood Sugar and Sleep: Effects, Causes, and Solutions

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Blood sugar levels can affect sleep quality, similar to how sleep affects blood sugar levels. Read the article to know more.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Rinku Rani Biswas

Published At June 6, 2023
Reviewed AtJune 6, 2023

Introduction

A healthy body has an average fasting blood sugar level of 80 to 100 mg/dL. The blood concentration of sugar (glucose) varies throughout day and night. Blood sugar levels are tightly controlled by various organs, hormones, intake of carbohydrates and its utilization and stress factors. Any disruption in these can led to hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus.Diabetes is an hyperglycemic state wherein the body is unable to produce enough insulin or the body is resistance to insulin. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are the most prevalent varieties. Frequent hunger, thirst, and urination are all immediate signs of high blood sugar. These symptoms frequently have an effect on the quality of sleep. Similarly lower than normal range of blood sugar (hypoglycemia) also can cause profuse sweating, fainting, and tingling sensation in the lips are a few of the symptoms of hypoglycemia.

Sleep patterns can be significantly impacted by blood sugar levels. Glucose and sleep are related in both directions. High blood sugar can impair the quality of sleep and inappropriate sleep can again lead to increase in the blood sugar levels by various mechanisms.

What Happens to Blood Sugar During Sleep?

It is normal for glucose levels to fluctuate while sleeping in a healthy person. Despite this, they should typically remain between 70 and 100 mg/dl. As these are the values that a doctor or researcher would check in a lab, there is a lot of research on an ideal morning fasting glucose values (following at least eight hours of fasting and sleep). According to this research, the ideal range for waking fasting glucose is between 70 and 90 mg/dL.

Less research is available, however, regarding the ideal glucose levels for sleep. The current recommendation is to strive for overnight glucose values that keep the 24-hour average glucose below 105 mg/dL and overnight values that are mostly in the 70-100 mg/dL range.

It is related to the functioning of the insulin hormone, which removes glucose from the blood. To summarize, the important blood glucose levels one should maintain are:

  • When sleeping, glucose levels range from 70 to 100 mg/dL.

  • The ideal range for fasting blood sugar in the morning is 70 to 90 mg/dL.

  • Values overnight that keep the 24-hour average blood sugar under 105 mg/dL.

  • Dawn Phenomenon: Every person experiences this on a regular basis. Growth hormone, cortisol, and catecholamines are some of the hormones that cause the liver to release sugar into the bloodstream in the early morning hours. During the process, glucose levels could briefly rise. This is the "natural alarm clock" of the body.

The dawn phenomenon typically occurs between 4 and 8 am for most people, depending on their sleep-wake cycle. Within a few hours of the insulin being released, the blood sugar levels should return to normal.

A healthy person's insulin is able to handle the surge by instructing muscle, fat, and liver cells to take up the blood glucose, which maintains the levels. Those with diabetes or insulin resistance may have trouble bringing their glucose levels back down after the morning spike. This may result in morning blood sugar levels that are higher than usual.

How Does Sugar Level Interfere With Sleep?

There is a reciprocal relationship between sleep and glucose. Poor glucose levels also have a negative impact on sleep, in addition to affecting blood sugar levels. Blood sugar levels can affect sleep patterns in both low and high blood sugar cases. Researchers looked at the connections between diabetes and sleep disturbance in a 2012 study. Having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much are all examples of sleep disturbances.

The study discovered a direct link between diabetes and sleep disturbance. The lack of sleep is a significant risk factor for diabetes, which can occasionally be managed, according to the researchers. The presence of diabetes does not guarantee that it will affect the ability to sleep. It depends more on the specific diabetes symptoms one experiences and how one handles them.

High Blood Sugar

  • Pre-bed high blood sugar levels can have an impact on the nervous system, making it difficult to get sleep or stay asleep. The body would not be able to completely relax as a result of the increased cortisol and adrenaline levels, which can cause insomnia.

  • Having high blood sugar levels can make a person urinate a lot. They might wake up frequently during the night if their blood sugar is high to use the restroom.

  • The body removes water from the tissues when there is an excess of glucose. One might feel dehydrated as a result and get up to drink some water regularly.

  • Additionally, they may make it difficult for one to fall asleep because they may feel hot, angry, and uneasy.

Low Blood Sugar

  • Both diabetics and people without diabetes can experience low blood sugar. Additionally, it can significantly disrupt sleep. Alcohol consumption, stress, insulin resistance, and other medical conditions can all cause a drop in blood sugar levels. Low blood sugar can cause lightheadedness, dizziness, and blurred vision. The following ways that low blood sugar levels can interfere with sleep:

  • Cortisol and adrenaline are released as a result. These hormones jolt you out of sleep and increase hunger.

  • The body overreacts when trying to restore normal blood sugar levels by making one feel more hungry. Eating right after going to bed can mess with their glucose levels and sleep-wake cycle.

  • Low blood sugar levels can also cause nightmares, sudden awakenings, sweating, and insomnia, disrupting sleep.

Does Diabetes Have a Relationship With Sleep Disorders?

In diabetics, tossing and turning all night is typical. Even though this might be a symptom of diabetes, the actual cause could be something else. People with diabetes are more likely to experience certain sleep disorders and other conditions that interfere with sleep.

Sleep Apnea

The most prevalent sleep disorder in diabetics is sleep apnea. Sleep apnea develops when the breathing repeatedly pauses and resumes during the course of the night. In a 2009 study, researchers discovered that 86 % of participants with diabetes also had sleep apnea. Of this group, 55 % required medical attention due to the severity of their condition.

Type 2 diabetics are more likely to have sleep apnea. This is because many members of this group are overweight, which can restrict their airways. Snoring at night and feeling exhausted during the day are typical symptoms. If sleep apnea runs in the family or if one is obese, they are more likely to develop it. Maintaining body weight might help one feel better. Additionally, if one finds it difficult to breathe while they sleep, they can use a special mask to push more air into the throat.

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)

RLS is characterized by a persistent urge to move the legs. It is most frequent in the evening, which can make it difficult to get to sleep or stay asleep. An inadequate supply of iron may cause RLS.

Restless leg syndrome risk factors include:

  • High blood glucose levels.

  • Kidney problems.

  • Thyroid disorders.

A consultation with a doctor is required to discuss the symptoms if one suspects RLS. If one has a history of anemia, this is especially crucial. RLS can also be induced by tobacco. Enrolling in programs to help smokers stop smoking can be considered.

Insomnia

The hallmark of insomnia is persistent difficulty getting to sleep and staying asleep. Insomnia is more likely to occur if both the stress and glucose levels are high. Due to the possible causes of insomnia, such as a stressful job or difficult family circumstances, one might be able to figure out the reason and also seek medical attention.

Conclusion

High or low blood sugar levels can disturb sleep, which can result in a problematic cycle of inadequate sleep and ineffective glucose management. It may become challenging to carry out any daily activities if persistently sleep is disrupted. The impact on glucose levels is wider than sleep duration, further complicating this cycle. In case of consistently having sleep issues, a doctor must be consulted.

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Dr. Rinku Rani Biswas
Dr. Rinku Rani Biswas

Pharmacology

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