Ep 81: How is Diabetes Connected with Sleep Apnea? And How to Survive Sleeping Next to a Chainsaw
Think sleep apnea is just about loud snoring? Think again. This common condition is a serious health issue that affects a staggering number of people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Steve Edelman is joined by Dr. Jeremy Pettus, who shares his own recent and unexpected diagnosis with obstructive sleep apnea. From recognizing the subtle symptoms to navigating the diagnosis process and starting treatment, Dr. Pettus offers a firsthand account of what it’s like to confront this underdiagnosed condition. This episode is a crucial wake-up call, revealing how untreated sleep apnea can impact everything from your heart health and blood pressure to your energy levels and insulin resistance. Whether you or a loved one has diabetes, this is essential listening.
Did the STOPBANG questionnaire – 1/8! But of course I have no idea if I snore or stop breathing!
Thanks for all the information !
It doesn’t sound like you have sleep apnea if you only had one out of eight, but you can do a sleep study to find out for sure. Or you could have a one-night stand and have your partner let you know if you snore or stop breathing. 🙂
What about hereditary reasons for sleep apnea? Does having sleep apnea increase the likelihood for one to wnd up diabetic?
I have two brothers who are both diabetic and who had sleep apnea before they were diagnosed with dianbetes.
Sleep apnea is definitely hereditary. It can also occur in people with a recessed jaw, and that can be hereditary too (sometimes people will have surgery to fix it).
To answer your second question, sleep apnea doesn’t cause diabetes, but it can bring it out sooner if you have a propensity for getting type 2 diabetes.