Can Insomnia Cause Diabetes? by Paul Stevens

The question "can insomnia cause diabetes" can stir debate among medical professionals. While there is plenty of evidence that people with diabetes may experience periods of insomnia, is it true that insomnia can actually cause diabetes in otherwise healthy people?

The findings in a study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology may surprise many people. While the study was admittedly small compared to most medical studies, it did provide some insight into the question can insomnia cause diabetes.

Many people understand the link between being overweight and developing diabetes. Also, those with a family history of the disease are much more likely to develop it at some point in their lives.

So diabetes can cause insomnia, but how can insomnia cause diabetes? The study mentioned above found that if the adults being studied were otherwise healthy that the ability of the body to process insulin was diminished in those who did not get enough sleep.

Particularly disturbing were the findings that even suffering from a lack of sleep for ONE NIGHT can bring on such findings. In general, said the study, there is a link between the ability of the body to process insulin and the amount and quality of sleep that one gets.

Because the study was quite small, more clinical research would be needed to call the findings conclusive but they are, at the very least, quite interesting.

Another layer of this discussion involves the studies that have been done linking obesity to insomnia. Because obesity certainly can lead to diabetes, this means that there is another way that it would be possible for insomnia to cause diabetes, albeit indirectly.

No matter what the final outcome turns out to be in the studies to answer the question can insomnia cause diabetes, one thing that is certain is that insomnia is linked to general poor health.

For that reason, those suffering from diabetes, even infrequently, should seek relief. For some, the answer may be a change in diet. For others, starting an exercise program can alleviate insomnia.

Some may need to seek the help of an over the counter or prescription sleep aid. Others may turn to a homeopathic treatment, such as acupuncture.

Continuing to live with insomnia not only hampers your quality of life, it could also lead to medical problems.

Can insomnia cause diabetes? The jury is still out, but in the meantime, those suffering from lack of sleep should do all that they can to remedy the problem. When it comes to your health, it's always better to err on the side of caution.