Short Sleepers Could Develop Prediabetes
August 13, 2009 by admin
Filed under Sleep News
People who sleep on average less than six hours a night could develop impaired fasting glucose, or prediabetes, which can eventually lead to type 2 diabetes, according to research presented this week at the American Heart Association’s Annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention. Researchers looked at the health records of almost 1,500 people taking part in the Western New York Health Study and found participants identified as short sleepers (less than six hours each night) were nearly five times as likely to convert from normal blood sugar levels to impaired fasting glucose compared with those getting six to eight hours of sleep. Normal fasting blood glucose levels are considered less than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Levels of 100mg/dL to 125 mg/dL are defined as impaired fasting glucose. If you suspect you have diabetes, it’s important to see a health professional. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to hypertension and increased risk of heart attack. It also damages the eyes, kidneys and other vital organs. The earlier one develops the disease, the greater the potential for long-term damage, especially if the diabetes isn’t diagnosed and brought under treatment.
