Sleep disturbance can be harmful to health. It can also increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. Here's what the experts say.

Balancing work, social, and family demands disrupts individuals' sleep schedules. However, changes in sleep patterns can lead to a number of health complications, including an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Sleep is important for the body's repair processes, and lack of sleep can cause hormonal disorders. Irregular sleep patterns affect the circadian rhythm which is the body's natural physiological cycle including metabolism.

Understanding Connections

“Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by a lack of insulin effectiveness in the body's cells because they are not sensitive to insulin. This leads to elevated blood sugar levels and can lead to serious health problems over time,” says Tejaswini Deepak, MD, FACE, FEDM, Apollo Spectra Hospital. , Bangalore explained to India.com that lack of a proper sleep cycle can trigger the onset of the disease.

The role of circadian rhythms

Circadian rhythms are physical, mental, and behavioral changes that cycle approximately every 24 hours and are sustained by biological processes such as the sleep-wake cycle. This rhythm is maintained by regular sleep patterns that allow the body to function at an optimal level. So problems like shift working that disrupt the normal sleep-wake cycle can affect metabolism and insulin sensitivity.

How does irregular sleep affect health?

1. Effects on hormones: A sleeping disorder disrupts the production and release of hormones needed to regulate glucose levels. Insulin and cortisol are two hormones that are important in this process. Insulin plays an important role in regulating blood glucose while cortisol is a stress hormone that affects insulin and glucose levels. Lack of sleep increases cortisol levels, and since cortisol interferes with insulin's ability to lower blood sugar levels, it contributes to insulin resistance.
2. Glucose Metabolism: Sleep plays an important role in glucose metabolism. During deep sleep, the human body engages muscles and tissues, breaks down glucose, and regulates insulin sensitivity. Changes in the amount or duration of sleep affect this process leading to poor glycemic control and increased blood sugar levels. These disruptions can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
3. Appetite and weight regulation: Insufficient sleep also affects hormones that regulate appetite, including leptin and ghrelin. Leptin is a hormone that informs the brain of energy availability, while ghrelin is a hormone that stimulates appetite. Lack of proper sleep affects a person's leptin levels, which makes them hungry and crave certain foods such as high calorie and carbohydrate foods. This can lead to weight gain and is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

Tips for better sleep

Here are some steps to get better sleep and reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes:

1. It's also important to try and stick to the same sleep schedule every day as much as possible. It ensures the normal functioning of the circadian rhythm.
2. Make sure your bedroom is cool, dark, and free of noise to make it sleep-friendly. Have a comfortable bed and avoid using electronic devices with bright screens before bed.
3. It is recommended to reduce the intake of caffeine and nicotine-rich foods and to eat a large meal before going to bed. This can make it difficult for you to fall asleep and stay asleep through the night.
4. Physical activity enables the body to maintain a normal sleep-wake cycle. However, it is advisable to avoid vigorous exercise in the evening as it acts as a stimulant.
5. Physical activity enables the body to maintain a normal sleep-wake cycle. However, it is advisable to avoid vigorous exercise in the evening as it acts as a stimulant.
6. Sleep disturbances are not just disturbances of normal bodily rhythms; They can profoundly affect metabolic rates and become a direct factor in developing type 2 diabetes.

By practicing regular sleep and adopting healthy sleep habits, the long-term effects and possibilities of this chronic disease can be avoided which will help to promote metabolic health and diabetes prevention.