Are There Recommended Sleep Aids For People With Diabetes?
Question: Dear CDE: I have diabetes and I have been having trouble with insomnia for a while now too. I am desperate for sleep and I am ready to try a sleep medication. My concern is that I will be unaware of hypoglycemic events that occur in the middle of the night or that I will be not aroused by the symptoms of hypoglycemia. Is there a sleep medication that you can suggest that is preferred for people with diabetes?" The question for this week is on sleeping aids and diabetes. A woman reports she is having trouble sleeping and would like to take some kind of sleeping pill but is afraid if she has hypoglycemia in the middle of the night she will not wake up. So she wants to know if there is a sleeping pill for people with diabetes. Answer: Dear Sister: First, if you are having trouble sleeping, you need to evaluate why. Is it stress, anxiety, etc? If so you may need to deal with those issues first. As I always say exercise helps with everything and sleep is one those things! Another potential issue is sleep apnea which causes people to have very poor sleep. I won’t get into that today but it should be evaluated by your health care provider. Second, if you are concerned about hypoglycemia overnight, that should be evaluated as well. I assume that this person is taking insulin. If the worry is hypoglycemia overnight, perhaps your basal insulin is too high, thus you would need to check at bedtime and in the middle of the night and first thing in the morning. If you are going low overnight, then you many need to adjust the insulin that would be affecting you during the time that your blood sugar began to drop. Everyone reacts differently to sleeping aids so I don’t think that you can assume you will be completely wiped out if you take a Tylenol PM for example. There i Continue reading >>
Are There Safe Sleep Aids For Seniors?
Lakelover asked... Are there effective safe sleep aids for seniors with sleep problems not due to other medications? Expert Answers Kenneth Robbins, M.D., is a senior medical editor of Caring.com. He is board certified in psychiatry and internal medicine, has a master's in public health from the University of Michigan, and is a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His current clinical practice focuses primarily on geriatrics. He has written and contributed to many articles and is frequently invited to speak on psychiatric topics, such as psychiatry and the law, depression, anxiety, dementia, and suicide risk and prevention. In the treatment of sleep problems, it is always best to first try non-pharmacologic options so there is no danger of side effects. The first step is to adopt standard sleep hygiene techniques that have been shown to be effective. These include, first, maintaining a regular sleep wake cycle, so that the time one goes to sleep and wakes up vary by only an hour from night to night. This prevents disruption of circadian rhythms, the changes in our endocrine systems during the day, and improves sleep. Next, one should exercise regularly, but not within several hours of going to sleep. One should avoid daytime naps, because they can interfere with sleep at night, and should avoid heavy meals within a couple of hours of going to bed. It is important to avoid stimulants, such as caffeine within at least 3 or 4 hours of going to sleep. Some people who are particularly sensitive may have to restrict caffeine to the early morning or decrease its use, sometimes even eliminate it. One should work to create a comfortable, quiet, dark and temperature controlled bedroom and develop a relaxing routine for the hour before getting i Continue reading >>
How Can Type 1 Diabetes Affect Sleep?
We all know the miserable after-effects of a poor night’s sleep. Unfortunately, that dreary, frazzled, anxious state can be a more common reality for for someone with Type 1 diabetes. Doctors at the Sleep Disorders Program at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center estimate that 40-50% of people with diabetes complain of poor sleep. And getting a good night’s rest can help in blood glucose management as well as overall health. So what should you watch out for if you have Type 1? And how can you better your odds of a good night’s rest? Here are the most common sleeping disorders that you may be faced with and some basic advice on how to maintain healthy sleep hygiene. Sleep Apnea A person with sleep apnea stops and starts breathing repeatedly while asleep, preventing them from achieving deeper states of sleep. Warning signs of sleep apnea include: daytime drowsiness excessive nighttime snoring There are two kinds of sleep apnea – Obstructive sleep apnea – occurs when the upper airway or throat region narrows, oxygen levels decrease, and eventually the brain triggers a response to wake the person up (at least enough to take a full breath and reopen the airway). Central sleep apnea – occurs when brain signals to the muscles that control breathing are confused. Both types of sleep apnea prevent a person from getting the kind of deep, restful sleep needed to wake up feeling refreshed. While scientific research has long highlighted a correlation between Type 2 diabetes and obesity and an increased risk for obstructive sleep apnea, sleep apnea occurrences is also high in those with Type 1 diabetes. Some studies have found obstructive sleep apnea in as many as 30% of adults with Type 1 diabetes. And the majority of those tested maintained a healthy, normal weig Continue reading >>
Eat What You Love With Diabetes
What can diabetics eat? Why are carbohydrates an integral part of every healthy diet? They impact blood sugars, or glucose, more than fats and protein. So, diabetics who count their carbs at each meal and snack have good success keeping their blood glucose in a healthy range. When you're diagnosed with diabetes and meet with a registered dietitian (RD) or certified diabetes educator (CDE), you're usually given a carbohydrate prescription for each meal. This prescription will work with the medicine or insulin you're taking to help keep your blood sugar normal. What is a carbohydrate serving size? 15g of carbohydrates = 1 carbohydrate serving To determine your serving size, check the nutrition facts label for the number of carbohydrate grams (g). If the total carbohydrate count is equal to 15g, then check the top of the food label for the serving size for one serving. If the carbohydrate total is more than 15g, then divide the total by 15. For example, a food with 30g of carbs contains 2 carb servings, because 30 divided by 15 = 2. If the carbohydrate total is less than 15g, then multiply the serving size so that your serving will have 15g carbs. List of foods with 1 carb serving The food list below shows the approximate size of 1 carbohydrate serving. Because products vary, check the nutrition facts information to get an accurate carbohydrate count. Apple = 1 small (4 oz.) Bagel = 1/4 large (1 oz.) Banana = 1 small (4 oz.) Beans, Pinto = 1/2 cup Beans, Kidney = 1/2 cup Bread = 1 oz. slice Cake = 2" square (unfrosted) Cereal = 3/4 cup or 1 oz. (ready-to-eat) Cereal = 1/2 cup (cooked) Cookies = 2 small Corn = 1/2 cup Crackers = 6 (Saltines) Fruit, Canned = 1/2 cup (unsweetened) Hamburger Bun = 1/2 bun Ice Cream = 1/2 cup (light) Jam or Jelly = 1 tablespoon Milk = 1 cup Ora Continue reading >>
Sleeping Pills And Natural Sleep Aids: Prescription And Over-the-counter Products
Prescription and Over-the-Counter Products Its the middle of the night, and youre staring at the ceiling, thinking about work, or bills, or the kids. Sleep just wont come, so you reach for a sleeping pill. But did you know that sleep medications are rarely meant for more than short-term use? They can cause dependence and tolerance, and the benefits dont always outweigh the risks. Learn what you need to know about the side effects and safety concerns of common sleep medicationsas well as effective insomnia treatments that dont come in pill form. Are sleeping pills or sleep aids right for you? When youre desperate to get some rest, its tempting to head for the medicine cabinet for relief. And you may get it in the moment. But if you regularly have trouble sleeping, thats a red flag that somethings wrong. It could be something as simple as too much caffeine or viewing electronic screens late at night. Or it may be a symptom of an underlying medical or psychological problem. But whatever it is, it wont be cured with sleeping pills. At best, sleeping pills are a temporary band aid. At worst, theyre an addictive crutch that can make insomnia worse in the long run. That doesnt mean that medication should never be used, but its important to weigh the benefits against the risks. In general, sleeping pills and sleep aids are most effective when used sparingly for short-term situations, such as traveling across time zones or recovering from a medical procedure. If sleeping pills are used over the long term, they are best used only on an infrequent, as needed basis to avoid dependence and tolerance. All prescription sleeping pills have side effects, which vary depending on the specific drug, the dosage, and how long the drug lasts in your system. Common side effects include prolon Continue reading >>
Sleep Aid For Dementia Mom. - Agingcare.com
That's been my world for the past year. I still can't believe it's a problem the medical field can't seem to manage. My mom was given Lorazepam (1 mg) which would put her to sleep but she was up and running wild 3 hours later. When she went on hospice (she's off now) her nurse said I could give her another one around 2am. That helped a lot but our answer came when my brother who has terrible (untreatable) insomnia told me about an herbal remedy called "Knock-out" (melatonin and valerian mix I think) which has worked. Occasionally she still gets up around 3 or 4am then I give her the Lorazepam. Her doctor didn't seem to thrilled about an herbal remedy but it's worked and he hasn't come up with a better solution. Good luck. I know how exhausted you must be! Just a little side note: A few months ago I started sleeping on an air mattress on her floor. She has a child's bed rail which I've read IS A BIG NO NO because they'll hurt themselves climbing over them and I'm sure that's true. In our case however she just rattles it and starts yelling (she could slide down and around it if she was really trying to get out). Anyway, that wakes me up and it only takes a minute to give her the Lorazepam (same as Ativan I think??) and we're both quickly back to sleep. Made a world of difference to me. Sleeping in her room on an air mattress sounds awful but it sure beats chasing her through the house at 3 in the morning and trying to get her back into bed. I could never get back to sleep after wards..... chl64, we have been thru the wandering over a year and I think its finally under control with the 3 depakote (knock on wood). Just wanted to suggest something to you. We have moms door cut in half and its locked on the opposite side. Its wonderful! She can get up but not out and her roo Continue reading >>
Research Reveals A Surprising Link Between Melatonin And Type 2 Diabetes
We typically associate the hormone melatonin with sleep. However, melatonin is actually involved in the timing and synchronization of a number of different physiological functions throughout the body. One of these functions is the regulation of blood sugar. Recent research has found that a relatively large proportion of the human population is genetically predisposed to be more sensitive to the impact of this hormone on blood sugar control. This can lead to higher blood glucose levels and ultimately greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Here’s how it works, and what you can do about it. The sleep hormone and the pancreas Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland in the brain in response to darkness. Levels are typically very low during the day and reach their peak at night. Like other hormones, melatonin works by binding to compatible receptors – kind of like a lock and key. These receptors are found abundantly in the eyes and the brain, and when melatonin binds to them, they signal that it’s dark outside. For humans, this darkness signal indicates that it is the period when we rest, so this timing signal contributes to and is a part of a cascade of other responses that help initiate and maintain sleep . Strangely enough, we now know that these receptors are also found in the pancreas – specifically in pancreatic beta cells. By releasing insulin, beta cells regulate glucose levels in the blood. We have also discovered that when melatonin activates these receptors, insulin secretion is decreased. Circadian physiology and glucose metabolism Prior research in animals has suggested that there is a relationship between melatonin and glucose metabolism. Mice with mutations that eliminate their melatonin receptors exhibit higher insulin secretion from their islet Continue reading >>
Sleep Hacks To Lower Your Blood Sugar
As a diabetic, you probably already know how important it is to eat right, exercise, and take your meds. Here’s something you may not know about controlling blood sugar: Sleep plays a vital role in maintaining normal blood sugar levels. Get less than six hours on most nights and you're three times more likely to have elevated blood sugar levels, according to research published in the Annals of Epidemiology. Even just one sleepless night can interfere with your body's ability to use insulin (and therefore regulate glucose), according to Dutch researchers. Too little sleep also leads to more weight gain: In a national survey of 87,000 people, one-third of participants who slept less than six hours were obese. And when researchers at Columbia University analyzed 20 years' worth of data on more than 68,000 women, they found that those who got five hours or less weighed about five pounds more and were 15% more likely to become obese than those who slept seven hours. Most adults need between seven and nine hours a night, yet one in five Americans regularly sleeps less than six hours, and nearly 70% of women report frequent sleep troubles, according to national polls. The best strategy to improve sleep, according to experts: Hit the sack and set your morning alarm for the same time every day (even on weekends)—maintaining a consistent sleep schedule keeps your biological clock in sync so you rest better. Here are 9 more tips to help you sleep well and stay healthy: Skip afternoon coffee breaks The caffeine from your favorite latte can stay in your system for about eight hours; even if you can fall asleep, you may not be resting soundly. Alcohol has the same effect: Though sipping a glass or two of red wine may make you drowsy, a few hours later, the alcohol levels in your Continue reading >>
Nature Made Sleep Liquid Softgel
The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) is a scientific, not-for-profit organization that sets public standards for medicines, supplements, and food ingredients. The USP Verified mark on Nature Mades products tells you that they have been independently verified for quality, purity, strength, disintegration or dissolution (the ability for the tablets to breakdown in the stomach so that the dietary ingredients can be absorbed) and consistency. We're sorry but the product you've selected was not found at a store within your specified area. To increase the distance of your search or choose another product click here . If you'd like additional assistance in locating a product, please contact us at 1-800-276-2878 . We're sorry but the zipcode that you provided was not found. Please update zipcode and try your search again. If you'd like additional assistance in locating a product, please contact us at 1-800-276-2878 . Nature Made Sleep is natural acting sleep aid that helps you fall asleep, naturally.** Made with a unique combination of ingredients that include L-theanine and Melatonin We're sorry but the product you've selected was not found at a store within your specified area. To increase the distance of your search or choose another product click here . If you'd like additional assistance in locating a product, please contact us at 1-800-276-2878 . We're sorry but the zipcode that you provided was not found. Please update zipcode and try your search again. If you'd like additional assistance in locating a product, please contact us at 1-800-276-2878 . When you get a good nights sleep you feel refreshed and ready to start your day. Melatonin is a hormone produced in the pineal gland that helps to regulate the bodys natural biorhythm, or sleep/wake cycle. L-theanine is an am Continue reading >>
Can Diabetics Take Melatonin?
Diabetics who experience sleeping problems might want to try melatonin, a common supplement that is thought to help regulate sleeping patterns. But diabetics must monitor the supplements they take to ensure they don’t interfere with any other medications they’re taking. Another concern is whether a supplement, such as melatonin, affects blood sugar levels, which are prone to fluctuate rapidly in diabetics. Check with your doctor before taking any supplements. Video of the Day Typically, people take melatonin to help their bodies adjust to a new sleeping schedule. For example, people who travel between time zones might experience jet lag, or an inability to conform their sleeping habits to the night/day cycle of the new region. Your body naturally produces the hormone melatonin to regulate your sleep cycle. Some people who have insomnia or other sleeping disorders have low levels of melatonin, so they take melatonin supplements to restore the hormone to normal levels. MedlinePlus warns diabetics that taking melatonin might affect blood sugar levels, so you should monitor your blood sugar level often if you decide to take melatonin. Even if melatonin doesn’t negatively affect your blood sugar levels, there is still some question as to its effectiveness. MedlinePlus says melatonin is "likely effective" for treating sleep problems in blind people and in children who have autism or mental retardation but is only "possibly effective" for treating otherwise healthy people who experience such sleeping problems as jet lag or insomnia. The American Diabetes Association warns that melatonin might decrease glucose utilization and increase insulin resistance. This is a problem for diabetics, who either have too little insulin or poorly functioning insulin, meaning they can’t Continue reading >>
How Diabetes Affects Sleep
How Diabetes Affects Sleep Healthy Habits For Life: 13 Morning Habits, That Help You Lose Weight, Live Healthy & Find Energy (Mini Habits, Increase Metabolism, Prevent Diabetes, Sleep Sound) (Healthy Habits Books) Sleep difficulties are more common in people who have diabetes than in people who don’t. Research has shown that sleep deprivation and insulin resistance may be linked. People who regularly lack sleep will feel more tired through the day and more likely to eat comfort foods. A good night’s sleep is important for our hormones to regulate a large number of the body’s processes, such as appetite, weight control and the immune system. Sleep can affect your blood sugar levels and your blood glucose control can also affect your sleep, which results in trouble sleeping. Difficulty getting a good night’s rest could be a result of a number of reasons, from hypos at night, to high blood sugars, sleep apnea, being overweight or signs of neuropathy. If you have blood sugar levels that are either too high or too low overnight, you may find yourself tired through the next day. Lethargy and insomnia can both have their roots in blood sugar control and can be a key in re-establishing a healthy sleep pattern. 1.Sleep Deprivation and Insulin Resistance Impaired insulin sensitivity, also known as insulin resistance, occurs when your body cannot use insulin properly, allowing your blood sugar levels to get too high. Insulin resistance is a precursor to type 2 diabetes as well as a risk factor in many other chronic diseases. In fact, controlling insulin levels is one of the most powerful ways to reduce your risk of chronic diseases, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and cancer. The increase in insulin-related diseases we’re now seeing is largely due to lack o Continue reading >>
How To Protect Yourself Against Diabetes
Edit Article You can take steps to prevent some causes of diabetes by simple adjustments in your good, healthy, better, and your best choices of diet, exercise and lifestyle, following the steps and tips for better health. Diabetes - blood glucose (sugar) tends to be, or is, too high and is of two types: Type 1 Diabetes - the inability of your pancreas to produce enough insulin, if any at all -- necessary for staying alive -- and so, Type 1 requires injections of insulin -- because pills are inadequate, destroyed by your stomach digestion. Type 2 Diabetes - your body cells cannot properly use insulin. Some causes of diabetes: (1) you can never cure Type 1 -- (2) you can control either type, and might cure Type 2! 1 2 Put off the causes that you "cannot" prevent, instead of aggravating them -- making proper, healthy choices. Push back diabetes by sustaining a low carbohydrate diet, and even cure Type 2 by weight loss, diet and exercise; hopefully it is not too late: Heredity - Genes pass from one generation to another. If a mother has diabetics then there is 2 to 3% greater chance for her child -- but if the father is diabetic, the risk is more than the previous case. If both parents have diabetes, the child has much higher risk for diabetes. Age - Increasing age is a contributing factor; although this disease may occur at any age, but 80% of cases occur after 49 year years of age. Age decreases all systems from functioning as well as when younger. 3 Prevent the causes you "can" control: Obesity - Most sedentary life diseases are caused by obesity, including diabetes and high blood pressure over the years. Stress - Stresses of physical injury, disease and of emotional disturbance are frequently blamed as contributing causes of the disease: High blood pressure - Gradual d Continue reading >>
Melatonin Use In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes And Insomnia
Type 2 diabetes is a major co-morbidity in many people who have insomnia. In a study, Israeli researchers examined the safety and effectiveness of prolonged-release melatonin (2 mg) in the treatment of glucose, lipid metabolism, and sleep in 36 patients who have type 2 diabetes and insomnia. A total of 11 men and 25 women participated in this randomized, double-blind, crossover study. Participants were between 46 and 77 years old. Results of the study appeared in the November 2011 issue of Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy in the article “Efficacy and safety of prolonged-release melatonin in insomnia patients with diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, crossover study.” Study participants were given prolonged-release melatonin or a placebo for 3 weeks (period 1), followed by a 1-week washout period, and then crossed over for another 3 weeks of treatment with the other preparation (period 2). All tablets were taken 2 hours prior to bedtime for 3 weeks. In an extension period of 5 months, all study participants were given prolonged-release melatonin nightly. This was done in an open-label design. Sleep was monitored objectively in a sub-group that included 22 study participants. Wrist actigraphy was used. The following levels were measured at baseline and at the end of the study: C-peptide fasting glucose fructosamine glycosylated hemoglobin (A1c) high-density and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol insulin some antioxidants total cholesterol triglycerides Patients continued to take concomitant medications throughout the duration of the study. Researchers found that there were no significant changes after 3 weeks of taking prolonged-release melatonin in the following levels: antioxidants blood chemistry C-peptide fructosamine insulin serum g Continue reading >>
Diabetes And Sleep
Tweet Sleep can affect your blood sugar levels and your blood glucose control can also affect your sleep, which results in trouble sleeping. Difficulty getting a good night's rest could be a result of a number of reasons, from hypos at night, to high blood sugars, sleep apnea, being overweight or signs of neuropathy. If you have blood sugar levels that are either too high or too low overnight, you may find yourself tired through the next day. Lethargy and insomnia can both have their roots in blood sugar control and can be a key in re-establishing a healthy sleep pattern.. Getting a good night’s sleep The following may help to promote better sleep: Keep your blood glucose under control Ensure your bed is large and comfortable enough – and pillows at a comfortable height Ensure your room is cool (around 18 degrees celcius) and well ventilated Ensure your room is dark and free from noise – if this is not possible, you may benefit from a sleeping blindfold or ear plugs Incorporating a period of exercise into each day Stick to a regular bed time Can a lack of sleep be a cause of diabetes? Research has shown that sleep deprivation and insulin resistance may be linked. People who regularly lack sleep are will feel more tired through the day and more likely to eat comfort foods. A good night’s sleep is important for our hormones to regulate a large number of the body’s processes, such as appetite, weight control and the immune system. Trouble sleeping from high sugar levels High blood sugar levels can impact upon your sleep. It could be that the high levels make it less comfortable for you to sleep – it may make you feel too warm or irritable and unsettled. Another factor is if you need to go the toilet during the night. For people with regularly high blood sugar l Continue reading >>
Drugs That Can Raise Bg
By the dLife Editors Some medicines that are used for treating other medical conditions can cause elevated blood sugar in people with diabetes. You may need to monitor your blood glucose more closely if you take one of the medicines listed below. It’s important to note that just because a medicine has the possibility of raising blood sugar, it does not mean the medicine is unsafe for a person with diabetes. For instance, many people with type 2 diabetes need to take a diuretic and a statin to lower blood pressure and cholesterol. In these and many other cases, the pros will almost always outweigh the cons. Don’t ever take matters of medication into your own hands. Discuss any concerns you have with your healthcare provider. Certain Antibiotics Of all the different antibiotics, the ones known as quinolones are the only ones that may affect blood glucose. They are prescribed for certain types of infection. Levofloxacin (Levaquin) Ofloxacin (Floxin) Moxifloxacin (Avelox) Ciprofloxacin (Cipro, Cipro XR, Proquin XR) Gemifloxacin (Factive) Second Generation Antipsychotics These medicines are used for a variety of mental health conditions. There is a strong association between these medicines and elevated blood sugar, and frequent monitoring is recommended. Clozapine (Clozaril) Olanzapine (Zyprexa) Paliperidone (Invega) Quietiapine (Seroquel, Seroquel XR) Risperidone (Risperdal) Aripiprazole (Abilify) Ziprasidone (Geodon) Iloperidone (Fanapt) Lurasidone (Latuda) Pemavanserin (Nuplazid) Asenapine (Saphris) Beta Blockers Beta blockers are used to treat high blood pressure and certain heart conditions. Not all available beta blockers have been shown to cause high blood sugar. Atenolol Metoprolol Propranolol Corticosteroids Corticosteroids are used to treat conditions where th Continue reading >>
