In a new study from the University of Hertfordshire, researchers found that poor sleep is linked to a greater risk of pre-diabetic patients developing type two diabetes.
In the current study, the team asked 40 patients referred to the NHS-funded Healthier You: National Diabetes Prevention Programme to complete a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire to evaluate their sleeping patterns, including the quality and duration of their sleep.
Somebody who experiences poor sleep might have difficulty falling asleep, wake up during the night, or struggle with their breathing.
All the study’s participants had been clinically diagnosed with pre-diabetes, which means their blood sugar is higher than normal and they are already at greater risk of developing the condition.
The research team found a significant link between poor sleep and an elevated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level, which indicates high blood sugar.
The higher the HbA1c level, the higher the risk of developing diabetes.
Diabetes is one of the most common chronic illnesses in the UK and treatment costs to the NHS amount to £10 billion annually.
According to Diabetes UK, 13.6 million people are at increased risk of developing the condition and it is predicted that 1-in-10 people in the UK will have the disease by 2030.
As Dr. Lindsy Kass says, for pre-diabetic patients a lifestyle change including diet, more physical activity, and weight loss, can reduce the risk of developing type two diabetes.
Improving sleep quality could also help prevent this serious condition.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about common stomach drugs that may help control blood sugar in diabetes, and common diet that could boost health in people with diabetes.
The study was conducted by Lindsy Kass et al., and published in Journal of Diabetes and Vascular Disease Research.
Copyright © 2022 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
