Trouble Sleeping and Diabetes

Troubled sleep can wreak havoc on our nights and result in feeling groggy and discombobulated during the day. For some, lack of sleep can cause stress hormones to increase, which may trigger increased appetite or blood sugar fluctuations. It's a difficult cycle. Figuring out ways to improve your sleep is easier with the support of others with diabetes who understand.

On DiabetesTeam, the social network and online support group for those living with type 2 diabetes, members talk about a range of personal experiences and struggles. Trouble sleeping is one of the top 10 topics most discussed.

Here are some question-and-answer threads about trouble sleeping:

• Why do I feel like I’m not getting enough sleep? All I want to do is sleep.

• My feet are burning and can't sleep at night. What can help me?

• I wake up at around 2:30 every night. My hands and feet are tingling, ears are ringing and I have a headache. Does anyone else experience this?

Here are some conversations about trouble sleeping:

• I haven't slept yet, major stress and insomnia. The stress has caused me to falter off of my meal plan since yesterday.

• Is anyone having trouble with insomnia? Mine seems to be getting progressively worse, for about the past year to year and a half. It has REALLY messed with my A1c's.

• I think it's finally time to do something about my insomnia. If anyone knows of any diabetic-friendly over-the-counter sleep aids, let me know.

Can you relate?

Have another topic you'd like to discuss or explore? Go to DiabetesTeam today and start the conversation. You'll be surprised just how many others may share similar stories.

Feel free to ask a question here.