Sleep and Blood Glucose Levels

Can Sleep Raise or Lower Glucose Levels?

Although it sounds contradictory, sleep can both raise and lower glucose levels. Our bodies experience a cycle of changes every day—called a circadian rhythm—which naturally raises blood sugar levels at night and when a person sleeps. These natural blood sugar elevations are not a cause for concern.

Restorative sleep might also lower unhealthy blood sugar levels by promoting healthy systems. Decreased sleep is a risk factor Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source for increased blood sugar levels. Even partial sleep deprivation over one night increases insulin resistance, which can in turn increase blood sugar levels. As a result, a lack of sleep has been associated with diabetes, a blood sugar disorder.

More research is needed to better understand the connection between sleep and blood sugar. So far, the following factors have been found to influence the relationship between sleep and blood sugar levels:

• The amount of time a person sleeps
• The stages of sleep a person experiences
• The time of day a person sleeps
• A person’s age
• A person’s eating habits

Why Does Sleep Affect Blood Sugar?

Researchers are beginning to uncover why sleep affects blood sugar and which underlying mechanisms are at play. So far, they’ve learned that the following physiological factors play a role in the relationship between sleep and blood sugar:

• Cortisol is increased by sleep deprivation Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source and increases glucose
• Insulin sensitivity is reduced by sleep deprivation and impacts glucose
• The time of day a person sleeps impacts insulin and cortisol levels, both of which affect glucose
• Increases in growth hormone accompany glucose increases during sleep
• Oxidative stress and inflammation are increased by sleep deprivation and impact glucose
• C-reactive protein is increased by sleep deprivation Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source and can impact glucose
• Inflammatory markers IL-6 Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source and TNF-alpha are increased by sleep deprivation Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source and can cause insulin resistance, which impacts glucose

How Does Blood Glucose Affect Sleep?

Just as sleep affects blood sugar levels, blood sugar levels may also impact sleep quality. A study of people with type 2 diabetes found that those with higher blood sugar levels experience poorer sleep Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . Another study found that 62% of people with glucose levels in the pre-diabetes range are likely to have poor sleep Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , compared to 46% of people with normal glucose levels.

Researchers aren’t certain why increased blood sugar may be associated with poor sleep and more study is necessary to understand the relationship.

Can Low Blood Sugar Cause Sleep Problems?

Low blood sugar, called hypoglycemia, can cause sleep problems. Hypoglycemia can occur in people with or without diabetes. Nocturnal hypoglycemia is a form of hypoglycemia that occurs at night.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Trusted Source National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) NIDDK research creates knowledge about and treatments for diseases that are among the most chronic, costly, and consequential for patients, their families, and the Nation. View Source , low blood sugar during sleep can cause the following symptoms:

• Nightmares
• Crying or yelling during sleep
• Sweating profusely
• Feeling irritable or confused upon waking

Do Sleep Problems Affect Blood Sugar?

Since a lack of sleep and blood sugar levels are related, it makes sense that not sleeping well can raise blood sugar levels. Researchers have suggested the following connections between sugar and lack of sleep or sleep problems:

• Sleep disordered breathing is associated with higher glucose levels
• Obstructive sleep apnea[/ocm_reference is associated with impared glucose tolerance
• More severe sleep breathing issues are associated with higher blood sugar
• Obstructive sleep apnea severity is associated with increased fasting glucose
• Poor sleep is associated with a reduced ability to control glucose levels in diabetic patients
• Inadequate sleep is associated with type 2 diabetes biomarkers, even in children
• Sleep loss is associated with increased glucose levels in hospitalized patients with and without diabetes

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