Hidden Saboteur: How Sleep Apnea Disrupts Your Blood Sugar Control

When we think about managing blood sugar, we usually focus on diet, exercise, and medications. But there’s a lesser-known player that could be quietly working against you each night: sleep apnea. It’s not just about snoring or feeling groggy in the morning—sleep apnea has a serious impact on your body’s ability to manage glucose, and it could be putting you at risk of type 2 diabetes without you realising it.¹

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) happens when your airway partially or fully collapses during sleep, causing breathing to stop and start repeatedly through the night.² Each time this happens, your oxygen levels drop and your body jolts awake—sometimes dozens or even hundreds of times per night.² This not only disrupts your rest but also sends your stress hormones into overdrive.³

What does this mean for your blood sugar? A lot. The combination of low oxygen levels, disrupted sleep, and increased stress on the body can lead to insulin resistance.² That’s when your body stops responding properly to insulin, causing glucose to build up in the blood. Over time, this can raise your HbA1c—a marker of long-term blood sugar levels—and contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes.²

In fact, research has shown that people with sleep apnea—especially those who are overweight or have existing metabolic issues—are far more likely to have impaired glucose tolerance.² One study found that up to 86% of obese people with type 2 diabetes also had sleep apnea.¹ But it’s not just those with diabetes at risk—OSA has been linked to blood sugar problems even in healthy, non-diabetic individuals.²

The disruption doesn’t stop at insulin. Sleep apnea can also throw off hormones that control hunger and fullness, leading to weight gain and making it even harder to manage glucose levels.² Sleep fragmentation, oxygen deprivation, and chronic inflammation all contribute to this vicious cycle.²

The silver lining? There’s a highly effective treatment: CPAP therapy.⁴ CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) works by delivering gentle air pressure through a mask to keep your airway open during sleep, eliminating symptoms.⁴

If you have diabetes or struggle with weight, fatigue, or snoring, sleep apnea could be playing a role. Left untreated, it can quietly sabotage your health. But with the right diagnosis and treatment, you can take back control.

Talk to your doctor if you think sleep apnea might be affecting your sleep or blood sugar. A simple sleep study might give the answers that your body needs.

How Sove CPAP Clinic Can Help

Founded in 2008, Sove CPAP Clinic has grown to become a leading provider of respiratory and sleep services and products in Australia, with over 60 clinics nationwide. Our comprehensive clinical team includes Respiratory & Sleep Specialists, Sleep Technologists, and CPAP Consultants, ensuring that you receive comprehensive and personalised care. All medical procedures, including sleep studies and lung function testing, are bulk billed to all Australians, with minimal wait time.

If you would like to speak to a Respiratory & Sleep Physician, book a bulk-billed sleep study, or seek advice for your sleep apnea, you can reach us at 1300 76 29 39 or info@thecpapclinic.com.au.

ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. CPAP is used for Obstructive Sleep Apnea treatment. When considering whether a sleep study or CPAP is right for you, speak to your doctor. Medicare criteria and T&Cs apply.

References

1. Pandey, A., et al. “Sleep Apnea and Diabetes: Insights into the Emerging Epidemic.” Current Diabetes Reports, vol. 11, no. 1, 11 Nov. 2010, pp. 35–40, doi.org/10.1007/s11892-010-0164-9.
2. Kim, Nan Hee. “Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Abnormal Glucose Metabolism.” Diabetes & Metabolism Journal, vol. 36, no. 4, 2012, p. 268, doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2012.36.4.268. Accessed 13 Oct. 2020.
3. Byun, Jung-Ick, et al. “Dynamic Changes in Nocturnal Blood Glucose Levels Are Associated with Sleep-Related Features in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea.” Scientific Reports, vol. 10, 21 Oct. 2020, p. 17877, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
4. Steiropoulos, Paschalis. “Continuous Positive Airway Pressure to Improve Insulin Resistance and Glucose Homeostasis in Sleep Apnea.” World Journal of Diabetes, vol. 2, no. 1, 2011, p. 16, doi.org/10.4239/wjd.v2.i1.16.