Loud snoring could be your body’s way of warning you that you could develop diabetes!
Believe it or not, researchers at University of Pittsburgh not only found that loud snorers were twice as likely to get diabetes, but that the chance of developing diabetes was as high as 80 percent for those who battle to fall asleep and 70 percent for those who regularly wake in the morning feeling unrefreshed.
Snorers who are frequently prodded and woken by an irritated sleep partner are at risk – but those with a more serious condition known as sleep apnoea should really sit up in bed and take note.
Formally known as Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (ODA), this occurs when soft tissue in the back of the throat blocks the airway. A sleeper then stops breathing temporarily. When oxygen levels drop rapidly, the sleeper suddenly wakes up, gasping for breath. When he or she drops off to sleep again, the pattern repeats over and over again.
Put simply, OSA lowers energy levels and pushes up blood sugar levels. When your body doesn’t get enough oxygen, it becomes stressed and produces adrenaline which increases glucose levels in your blood.
If you think this doesn’t apply to you – think again. One in five adults suffers from at least mild sleep apnoea which needs to be controlled to bring down your diabetes risk.
Conversely, those already living with diabetes are more likely to suffer from OSA. Here, controlling it is even more important. According to medical experts, those with both conditions are at even greater risk of developing severe diabetes related complications such as kidney failure, stroke and cardiovascular disease.
Those with mild sleep apnea can try Snoremeds, a comfortable mouthpiece worn whilst asleep that realigns your jaw, pulling the tongue and soft tissue forward and opening your airway.