World Diabetes Day 2025: Can Diabetes Affect Your Sleep Pattern?

Diabetes is on the rise all around the world. We are all aware of what it is, and how it affects our health. But did you know that diabetes can also impact your sleep pattern? Yes, you read that right. Diabetic patients may find it difficult to get good quality sleep due to a number of factors. This World Diabetes Day, OnlyMyHealth is running the Diabetes Free India campaign to increase awareness on this condition and create a healthier world. On this note, let us tell you how diabetes can impact one's sleep.

To get a better understanding of this, we reached out to Dr RK Prasad, Senior Consultant - Endocrinology, Fortis Noida. Let’s take a look at what the expert has to say.

How Diabetes Affects Sleep

Not many people are aware how diabetes can impact one’s sleep pattern. “Diabetes and sleep are closely interconnected, each influencing the other in significant ways. Good sleep is essential for maintaining overall health; however, in individuals with diabetes, sleep quality is often affected due to metabolic changes, diabetes-related complications and other factors,” shares Dr Prasad. The expert explains the factors in details:

Blood Sugar Fluctuations:

Variations in blood glucose levels can disrupt sleep. High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) may cause frequent urination, leading to interrupted sleep, while low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can cause night sweats, restlessness, and even serious cardiovascular problems during sleep.

Diabetes-related Complications:

Nerve damage (neuropathy) and pain, especially in the feet, can make it difficult to fall or stay asleep. These symptoms often worsen at night.

Obesity and Sleep Apnea:

Obesity, which commonly accompanies type 2 diabetes, is a major risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) — a condition characterised by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. OSA not only disrupts sleep but also contributes to worsening insulin resistance and glucose intolerance, creating a vicious cycle between poor sleep and diabetes progression.

Impact of Poor Sleep on Diabetes

Now that we know that diabetes can affect your sleep, let us tell you that the opposite is also true. Sleep quality can also affect your blood sugar levels.

“Poor-quality sleep plays a major role in the development and worsening of diabetes. It affects every stage of the disease — from its onset to the progression of complications — by contributing to insulin resistance, prediabetes, and reduced glucose tolerance. Chronic sleep deprivation decreases insulin sensitivity, ultimately making blood sugar control more difficult,” explains Dr Prasad.

Also Read: How Many Carbs Should Diabetics Consume Daily? Expert Suggests

Common Sleep Problems in People with Diabetes

Dr Prasad lists some of the common sleep issues which diabetic individuals often experience:

• Insufficient or irregular sleep.
• Difficulty feeling refreshed after sleep.
• Daytime fatigue and sleepiness.
• Snoring and frequent awakenings.

“Snoring itself has been linked to an increased risk of developing diabetes, while excessive daytime sleepiness is known to worsen insulin resistance,” he adds.

Is Sleep Apnea and Diabetes Connected?

There is definitely a link between sleep apnea and diabetes. “OSA involves repeated partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway during sleep, resulting in cycles of low oxygen (hypoxemia) and disrupted rest. People with OSA are significantly more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, and more than half of those with type 2 diabetes are estimated to have OSA. Both conditions independently and jointly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease,” explains the expert.

Tips To Manage Sleep Issues in Diabetes

There is no single solution for addressing sleep problems in people with diabetes. A combination of lifestyle changes and medical management is often most effective. Dr Prasad shares some simple ways to deal with it:

• Regular Exercise: Improves sleep quality, enhances insulin sensitivity, helps control blood sugar, and promotes weight loss — thereby, reducing the risk of sleep apnea.
• Maintaining a Consistent Sleep Schedule: Helps regulate the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.
• Effective Blood Sugar Management: Keeping glucose levels stable throughout the day and night can prevent sleep disruption caused by hypo or hyperglycemia.

Also Read: Is Sourdough Bread Good For Diabetics? Find Out Here

The Final Word

Sleep quality of diabetic patients is often affected due to metabolic changes, diabetes-related complications and other factors. There is no one-stop solution to deal with sleep issues related to diabetes. A combination of lifestyle changes and medical management can be the most effective.