## Importance of Sleep Health Screening in Diabetes Patients The American Diabetes Association (ADA) now recommends that healthcare providers screen for sleep health in diabetes patients. This recommendation is based on growing evidence that poor sleep can contribute to the development of diabetes and make its management more difficult. ### Key Points: 1. **Link Between Sleep and Diabetes**: Poor sleep, including short sleep duration, obstructive sleep apnea, shift work, and insomnia, has been found to correlate with the development and progression of type 2 diabetes. For instance, a large review in 2020 showed that women who got either too little or too much sleep were more likely to develop gestational diabetes. 2. **Common Sleep Disorders in Diabetes**: More than half of people with type 1 diabetes have obstructive sleep apnea, and in type 2 diabetes, it could be as much as 86%. Insomnia, sleep disturbances, and restless legs syndrome are also common among diabetes patients. 3. **Impact on Diabetes Management**: Poor sleep can make it harder to manage diabetes. When people are exhausted, they are not in the right frame of mind to make the methodical decisions that optimal diabetes care requires. Intensive insulin management can also lead to sleep disturbances due to alarms from insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors. 4. **Mental Health and Sleep**: Diabetes is associated with high rates of stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges, which can further impact sleep quality. A study in 2022 identified diabetes-related emotional distress as a major cause of sleep difficulties. 5. **Benefits of Addressing Sleep Issues**: Cognitive behavioral therapy and pharmacological interventions have been shown to improve both metabolism (A1C, fasting blood sugar, and blood pressure) and sleep quality. Addressing sleep issues can help put patients in the best possible position to manage their diabetes optimally. ### Conclusion Sleep is a crucial factor in diabetes management. If you have sleep issues, it may be time to take them seriously and discuss them with your healthcare provider. There is a growing recognition that sleep health and metabolic health are intimately related, and addressing sleep problems can significantly improve diabetes management.