Hands On Webinar | Sleep Health in Diabetes | Recording-Sleep Health in Diabetes

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This webinar, moderated by Stephanie Griggs, focuses on sleep health and diabetes care across the lifespan, featuring experts Dr. Samantha Carrion and Dr. Kimberly Sabin. Dr. Carrion discusses sleep concerns in youth with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Key issues include insufficient sleep duration, poor sleep quality, and disrupted sleep caused by diabetes management tasks, emotional distress, and fears of nighttime hypoglycemia. Poor sleep is bidirectionally linked with higher hemoglobin A1C levels, impaired cognitive function, insulin resistance, and reduced diabetes care engagement. Youth with type 2 diabetes experience similar sleep disruptions, with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) being prevalent but often undiagnosed.<br /><br />Dr. Sabin addresses sleep health in adults with type 2 diabetes. Adults with diabetes have higher rates of sleep disorders such as OSA, insomnia, and restless leg syndrome compared to the general population. Sleep disruption contributes to the development and worsening of diabetes through mechanisms like insulin resistance and increased inflammation. The ADA recommends screening for sleep disorders and integrating sleep health promotion into diabetes management. Treatments include CPAP for OSA and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia.<br /><br />Both experts stress the importance of assessing multidimensional sleep factors—duration, timing, quality, and consistency—and recommend interventions like consistent wake times, relaxing bedtime routines, managing diabetes-related nighttime disruptions, and behavioral therapies. Screening tools and referral to sleep specialists are encouraged when indicated.<br /><br />The webinar concludes with practical Q&A addressing issues like managing nighttime wakefulness, sleep apnea testing, nighttime urination, and the cautious use of melatonin or herbal remedies, underscoring behavioral strategies as primary interventions for sleep difficulties in diabetes care.

Keywords

sleep health

diabetes care

type 1 diabetes

type 2 diabetes

sleep disorders

obstructive sleep apnea

insulin resistance

hemoglobin A1C

cognitive behavioral therapy

diabetes management