Type 1 Diabetes Navigation
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IMPROVE DIABETES BY
GETTING BETTER SLEEP
If your diabetes is out of control, even though you're eating properly, exercising, and taking your medications, you may want to examine your sleep patterns. Medical studies state that sleep disorders and sleep deprivation may actually increase the risk of life-threatening issues in diabetics. Sleep deprivation in the form of insomnia, sleep apnea, snoring, or just staying up very late make it difficult for a diabetic's body to control insulin and blood sugar. Improving your sleep may play a big role in improving your diabetes.
Get Plenty of Sleep - Getting plenty of quality sleep does not necessarily mean getting eight hours of sleep. Everyone is different. Some people require more sleep while others require less. Figuring out the best length of nightly sleep is important for diabetics. Try keeping a written log, recording the time you go to sleep, the time you wake up, how many hours you slept, and how good you feel the next day. Adjust and readjust your sleep times by a half-hour each night until you've worked out the best amount of sleep for you.
Repay "Sleep Debt" - Feeling less energetic in the middle of the day is common, but if you're suddenly just plain sleepy, you're not getting enough sleep at night and may be suffering from "sleep debt." This type of sleep deprivation builds up when you lose sleep, night after night, staying up to view a favorite television program, looking after a sick child, catching up on work, getting up early for a special meeting, etc. Try keeping your getting up time the same, but go to bed earlier for a few days. Keep this up until you have "paid up" your sleep debt and feel refreshed in the morning and aren't tired in the afternoon.
Combat Insomnia - If you toss and turn in the bed every night before falling asleep, are unable to fall asleep at all, or wake up during the night without being able to go back to sleep, you possibly have insomnia. Avoid naps during the day and go to bed a half-hour to an hour later at night to work out the best amount of sleep for you. If that isn't successful, consider the following.
==> Take a warm bath before going to bed.
==> Take slow, deep breaths to relax.
==> Exercise for at least a half-hour during the day.
==> Read a book or listen to soft, relaxing music.
See a Doctor - Schedule an appointment with a physician who specializes in diabetic sleep disorders for a diagnosis and treatment, especially if you snore. Snoring can be a serious problem. Diabetics who snore could actually cease breathing during the night.
If you suffer from sleep deprivation or a sleep disorder, get treatment. Left untreated, your sleep problems could lead to further complications/problems. Want another great reason? It just isn't any fun to be tired all the time.
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