Link between Sleep and Chronic Diseases Including Diabetes

Not enough or too much sleep is linked with diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, anxiety and obesity…. 

A study done by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) using data on more than 54,000 participants in 14 states, categorized individual participants as either short, optimal or long sleepers. Thirty-one percent of participants were short sleepers and averaged six hours or less; whereas, 4.1% were long sleepers and averaged 10 hours or more. Both groups had an increased prevalence of obesity, frequent mental distress, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Optimal sleepers, which made up 64.8% of participants, averaged seven to nine hours of sleep.

Sleep can have an impact on overall health. If individuals are not getting enough sleep, or are getting too much, a sleep physician should be consulted. Such conditions as sleep apnea and insomnia can cause problems for sufferers and decrease the amount and quality of sleep each day.

• Patients should aim for 7-9 hours of sleep
• Recommended to have sleep patterns evaluated by sleep medicine physician
• Quality and quantity can impact overall health

Sleep, October 2013