Can Diabetes Cause Sleep Problems?

08/19/202402/13/2020 by Ben Trapskin

Most people are aware that their medical history, along with what they eat and how much they weigh, can create a risk of getting Type-2 diabetes. But what they are unaware of is that such a health problem can interfere with their normal sleep routine. Not only sleep can affect the blood sugar levels but it is also true the other way round. Apart from the usual problems associated with getting a good night’s rest such as sleep apnea, hypos at night, and being overweight, having high blood sugar levels can also have a similar impact.

People who have blood sugar levels that are excessively high or low can experience tiredness throughout the day. Insomnia and lethargy are two common symptoms of blood sugar though it is not necessary that people who are suffering from sleeplessness and lethargy are diabetic.

How Does Diabetes Have Impact on the Ability to Sleep?

Several research studies over the years have established a clear connection between diabetes and sleep problems. Sleep disturbance not only indicates the difficulty in falling asleep but also staying asleep or sleeping too much. While diabetes does not necessarily mean that your normal sleeping habits will be impacted, such a health condition is likely to interfere with your night’s rest. Some of the symptoms include –

People with high blood sugar levels are prone to frequent urination. This will impact the deep sleep making the person get up frequently for using the bathroom.
When the body contains extra glucose, it draws excess water from the tissues. This will make you feel dehydrated forcing you to get up in the middle of your sleep for a glass of water.
The common symptoms of dizziness, sweating, and shakiness can affect your normal sleep routine.

Different Sleep Disorders and Their Connection With Diabetes

Although tossing and turning may be a common symptom among people with diabetes problems, there might be a separate medical condition that might be breeding underneath. Some of the commonly experienced sleep disorders among people are mainly the underlying cause of diabetes.

Insomnia

This sleep disorder is characterized by trouble falling and staying asleep. You are more at risk of experiencing insomnia if you have high glucose levels with high stress. Insomnia patients are known to experience several kinds of sleep disruptions, like –

Problem falling asleep;
Difficulty in staying asleep;
Waking up early;
Waking up tired

Taking any OTC medication won’t solve the issue. Instead, try to identify the root cause of the problem, such as experiencing any family issues or working in a high-stress environment. Seek medical advice from a healthcare practitioner to determine and cure the root cause of such defects.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

This is the most common disorder among people with diabetes problems, with almost 86 percent of people with diabetes having obstructive sleep apnea. The OSA is a medical condition that is characterized by frequently interrupted breathing while sleeping. People with such problems experience fully or partially blocked airways. Such a sleep disorder is harmful to both sleep quantity and sleep quality.

Most people having OSA experience frequent awakenings with fragmented and restless sleep. In addition, it also develops a higher risk of getting Type-2 diabetes and an increased risk for cardiovascular problems.

Nocturnal Hypoglycemia

Low glucose levels in the blood, or hypoglycemia, can have an adverse impact on the quality of your sleep. People who are taking blood sugar medications or insulin might be at risk of getting low blood sugar. Overnight fall of blood sugar levels can disrupt your usual sleep pattern and make it difficult for you to wake up in the morning and feel tired throughout the day. One of the most common symptoms of nocturnal hypoglycemia is waking up sweating in the middle of the night.

Restless Leg Syndrome

Also known as the Ekbom Syndrome, this sleep disorder is characterized by uncomfortable and unpleasant feelings in the legs, causing the person to move the legs to reduce such sensation. The sleeper may experience a burning sensation or as if insects were crawling over the legs. Such a syndrome may also be an indication of the presence of peripheral neuropathy. Such a condition is often associated with a lack of diabetes control which can be treated by improving the blood glucose levels.

Post Meal Lethargy or Daytime Tiredness

A feeling of tiredness throughout the day, particularly during the morning period and after meals can often be a result of high blood sugar levels. If you happen to experience such problems, get a blood sugar test done to check any correlation between the blood sugar count and such feelings of tiredness. This could probably be a result of low blood sugar levels, especially if you are taking insulin or is at risk of having hypoglycemia.

Some Common Causes of Sleep Disruption

The dysfunction of circadian rhythm due to the underlying cause of diabetes can also disrupt the metabolic hormones. Some of the common symptoms associated with sleep disruption problems include –

Headaches: Both low and high blood sugar count can develop headache problems making it hard to sleep.

Sweating: This is a sign of low blood sugar levels that can prevent you from falling asleep.

Irritability and Anxiety: Low levels of blood sugar can trigger irritability and anxiousness. This may be a prime cause of restless sleep and insomnia. Such people may also experience a racing heartbeat with dizziness that interferes with their ability to fall asleep.

Increased thirst: Both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia is known to contract dehydration problems causing you to wake frequently and difficult to fall asleep.

The Bottom Line

If you are experiencing persistent sleep problems, consider testing your blood sugar levels as it might be the underlying cause of such an effect. In such a situation, you need to consult a healthcare practitioner to help you effectively manage and prevent the recurrence of such problems and keep your blood sugar count to normal. It may take about a week or two to observe the changes, so make sure to follow a regular routine.

Can a Body Pillow Improve Sleep?

09/11/202403/14/2019 by Ben Trapskin

For the longest time, we have depended on the mattress to solve most of our sleep problems. But even the most expensive mattress begins to sink and gets dips within the first five years. The more the mattress sags, the lower is the support provided to the body. No matter what kind of mattress you buy, you cannot keep it from sagging. Sooner or later, it is going to dip and sag, leaving you with an improper sleep position.

This is one of the reasons why several people change their mattress so often. A sagging mattress has little firmness and fails to provide your body with the support it needs for proper proper sleep. When you keep sleeping on this worn-out mattress, you develop soreness and aches and pains in various parts of your body. You believe that you are suffering from some ailment when the actual culprit is your mattress.

Unfortunately, mattresses will sag. There’s not much to do about it. But instead of relying only on a mattress for proper sleep, why not choose another solution for quality rest? That’s right; we are talking about a body pillow. It is the next best alternative to a mattress for adding in a good night’s sleep. Whether you suffer from medical conditions that make it hard for you to sleep at night or sleep on a mattress that does not provide enough support, a body pillow can make sleeping a more comfortable and relaxing experience.

What Is A Body Pillow?

A pillow that’s narrow and long and runs the entire length of the body is called a body pillow. Initially, body pillows were mostly used by pregnant women for extra support during sleep. But these pillows have gained massive popularity in recent years because they provide support to the whole body when the mattress fails to do so.

A lot of people prefer to sleep with a cuddle pillow. But these pillows are usually small and do not provide support to the entire body. A body pillow is soft and comfortable but firm enough to support the top leg (for side sleepers), torso, back, and arms throughout the night. Body pillows are counted among the best orthopedic pillows and are widely available online, at bedding stores, and

What Is Body Pillows Made Of?

A body pillow is no different than a regular pillow and can be made of a variety of materials. Some of the materials that a body pillow is made of are:

Shredded latex: Body pillows with an outer cotton casing and a shredded latex fill are bouncy and conform to the shape of your body. Shredded latex body pillows are great for those who suffer from neck and shoulder pain because it’s responsive and keeps the spine aligned while hugging the body. Natural latex is hypoallergenic and can be conveniently used by those with allergies.

Memory Foam: Body pillows are also made with memory foam, another hypoallergenic material. Memory foam is breathable and comfortable and also regulates temperature. The firmness of the pillow can also be adjusted according to preference.

Wool: If you want a body pillow that keeps you cool in summer and warm in winter, then choose wool. Because wool is a natural insulator, it keeps you comfortable in all seasons. Wool body pillows are comfortable to sleep with, and also keep the back and spine aligned, regardless of your sleep position.

Feather/Down: Although body pillows made of feather or down are soft, they aren’t capable of providing the best support. Besides, feather or down can cause allergies, which doesn’t make them suitable for all.

Wool-Latex Blend: When wool and latex are combined to make a body pillow, it becomes soft and supportive at the same time. The combination of shredded latex and wool gives the pillow a firmer feel, while the wool functions like a natural insulator and promotes breath-ability and circulation. The latex makes the pillow responsive while keeping your spine aligned and helping relieve pressure points.

Kapok: Cotton makes for some of the most breathable and comfortable body pillows. Kapok cotton is used to make organic body pillows, which have the same fluffiness of down without the feathers. Cotton pillows keep you cool on hot nights, providing proper support for side sleepers, spine alignment, and pressure relief.

Benefits of A Body Pillow

Pillows are used by everyone for comfort. But pillows are also great at providing support to the body. These days, there are orthopedic pillows, which are ergonomically designed to provide support to various parts of the body. There are pillows for the legs, for the back and spine, and for the neck and shoulders. Body pillows combine the support of all pillows into one. If you have a body pillow, you can use it for supporting any part of the body or the entire body.

Some benefits of the body pillow are:

Spinal Alignment: Keeping the spine aligned is of utmost importance when sleeping. When we sleep, we often aren’t aware of our position. This leads to soreness when we wake up. A body pillow keeps the sleeper supported no matter which position he sleeps in, improving spinal alignment and keeping aches and pains away.

Pressure Relief: When we are in a supine position, our body takes the maximum pressure. This is heightened if the mattress isn’t supportive enough. A body pillow provides extra support, relieving the pressure and preventing soreness.

Improved Circulation: When your sleep position isn’t proper, your blood circulation is also poor. A body pillow keeps you supported and comfortable, keeping your sleeping position right and improving circulation.

Diminished Snoring: A body pillow can be used to elevate the upper part of the body, to help with snoring and sleep apnea. Body pillows designed for sleep apnea makes sure that the sleeper remains in a side sleeping position all through the night, helping relieve symptoms of sleep apnea like obstructed breathing, snoring, coughing, and dry mouth.

Body pillows are available at all bedding stores or online marketplaces. Quality body pillows last long and provide ample support for the whole body.

The many ways you can use a body pillow

For Sleeping:

Side Sleeping: Hug the pillow in front of you, and place it between your knees. This helps align your spine, hips, and knees, improving your overall sleep posture.
Back Sleeping: Position the body pillow under your knees to relieve lower back pressure.
Pregnancy Support: A body pillow can be a lifesaver during pregnancy. Wrap it around you for belly support, tuck it between your legs for hip comfort, or use it behind your back for added lumbar support.

Beyond Sleep:

Reading or Watching TV: Prop yourself up with a body pillow for comfortable back support while relaxing in bed.
Meditation Aid: Use a body pillow to support your head and neck or place it between your knees for better posture during seated meditation.
Post-Surgery Recovery: A body pillow can provide extra cushioning and support to sensitive areas after an operation.
Relieving Aches and Pains: Target specific areas for relief. Place it under sore muscles, or hug it close for its comforting weight and pressure.
Pet Comfort: Many dogs and cats love the security and softness of a body pillow to snuggle on.

Weighting Comforts Weighted Blanket Review

08/20/202405/22/2018 by Adrianna Piotrowska

If you or someone you know has anxiety, insomnia, PTSD, SPD, or even autism, you’ll be happy to know that there may be a better way to put yourself to bed for a more restful sleep. Introducing the Weighting Comforts blanket.

weighted comforts weighted blanket cotton

When I first heard of the Weighting Comforts Weighted Blanket, I thought the idea couldn’t be more bizarre. “Wouldn’t a weighted blanket make one feel constricted?,” I pondered, but when I surfed the web to further investigate, it turned out that my assumption was incorrect. It’s true, weighted blankets may not be for everyone but from what I’ve read thus far, they could be for almost anyone.

Overview of the Weighting Comforts Weighted Blanket

Weighting Comforts creates weighted blankets to help people overcome anxiety and sleeplessness. The Weighted Blanket by Weighting Comforts starts at $195. While the price may be steep for the majority, the company’s 30 Day Better Sleep Guarantee is more than comforting.

Construction of the Weighted Blanket by Weighting Comforts

What I really like about this company, in particular, is the variety of their sleep product. They offer their blanket in a range of weights, different colors as well as variety in the fabric used to create it. The blanket can be ordered in the weight of 10 lbs, 15 lbs or 20 lbs. It’s recommended that a weighted blanket be approximately 10% of your body weight to acquire the optimal effect.

As far as fabric options are considered, Weighting Comforts has quilted cotton and flannel, for those who prefer to stay warm, and for those who are against the idea, they furnish blankets made with CoolMax® fabrics, that ensure you can comfortably sleep cool through the night.

Coolmax is the brand name for an array of moisture-wicking textiles. These are technical fabrics straight out of the 80’s. DuPont Textiles and Interiors, now known as Invista, developed them in 1986. In contrast to natural made fibers like cotton, CoolMax is made of specially engineered polyester fibers that are exclusively meant to enhance breathability. Also known as wick away fabrics, they’re engineered to pull moisture away from the body, by way of capillary motion and a higher rate of evaporation.

Capillary motion is defined by Wikipedia as “the ability of a liquid to flow in narrow spaces without the assistance of, or even in opposition to, external forces like gravity.”

Who knew sleep cool technology was so methodically thought out?

My Weighting Comforts Weighted Blanket Findings

Upon opening the package I was immediately reminded of the fact that this was no ordinary blanket, being that it weighed 15 lbs! It’s easy to forget about the weight associated with the product because I feel like we all have a certain image and feel in mind when we think of the word “blanket.” The blanket itself was made of a cotton fabric which I think felt great and breathable. While it felt like a very strong fabric, it wasn’t thick where it’d be difficult to sleep with during the warmer months. The material felt perfect to the touch. The pellets inside, which make up the weight, felt and looked interesting but overall I really ended up liking the concept. I found the pellets to be very soothing, as the sound they make when the blanket is being moved around, is rather calming.

One thing I would like to point out is that there is a pale colored line you might find on your blanket. This is noted in the manual/guide that comes with the package. It’s said that this is from their manufacturing process and that it washes out in about 5 washes or so. I found this to be a bit odd but after sleeping with the blanket, it’s amazing how easily I let it go. Just be mindful of this when ordering or when purchasing it as a gift for someone else.

Pricing Table for the Weighted Blanket by Weighting Comforts

Cotton Quilting Weighted Blanket
size	small	medium	large
weight	10 lbs	15 lbs	20 lbs
dimensions	40” x 74”	40” x 74”	40” x 74”
price	$195	$225	$245

Charcoal Flannel Weighted Blanket
size	small	medium	large
weight	10 lbs	15 lbs	20 lbs
dimensions	42” x 74”	42” x 74”	42” x 74”
price	$195	$225	$245

COOLMAX® Weighted Blanket
size	small	medium	large
weight	10 lbs	15 lbs	20 lbs
dimensions	55” x 74”	55” x 74”	55” x 74”
price	$269	$289	$299

Benefits of The Weighting Comforts Weighted Blanket

The magic behind Weighted Blankets is actually quite scientific. Blankets of this sort are effective by way of Deep Pressure Touch (DPT), also referred to as Deep Pressure Touch Stimulation (DPTS). Deep Pressure Touch is able to take the body from what’s known as “fight or fight” to “rest and digest,” as explained by Applied Behavior Analysis Edu. This is done by increasing serotonin in the body, some of which is turned into melatonin, and by also simultaneously decreasing cortisol levels, often referred to as the stress hormone.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, known to regulate mood, appetite and sleep. It also has some cognitive functions as well, specifically pertaining to memory and learning. Low levels of serotonin are connected to depression so an increase in this chemical is a huge benefit. Serotonin is also the precursor to melatonin. Serotonin goes through the process of acetylation and methylation in the pineal gland to create melatonin. Melatonin is responsible for the regulation of sleep and wakefulness.

In the mainstream, cortisol is often referred to as the stress hormone but this chemical is responsible for a lot more than that. Both low and high levels of cortisol are undesirable and both come with their own list of symptoms. At healthy levels, this hormone helps to control blood pressure and blood sugar levels, while also regulating metabolism, reducing inflammation and assisting with memory formulation.

My Weighting Comforts Weighted Blanket Recommendation

I really like this blanket. It’s officially become a part of my sleeping station. I can’t believe how quickly I’m able to fall asleep with this blanket, my nights are not usually that simple so this is a more than welcome change. Also considering all of the science behind it, I feel like it’d be a waste to not give it a genuine try for at least a few weeks to see whether or not there is a shift in the quality of sleep. I do already feel like I can acquire deeper sleep by way of this blanket but the long-term results will really help decipher it’s effectiveness. And if you aren’t already captivated by the idea, check this out: These blankets are actually sewn by refugees. Weighing Comforts has partnered with a non-profit organization, based out of Middle Tennessee, known as Sew For Hope. Refugees are provided with sewing machines and sewing classes, which has afforded them the ability to earn a living with both their artistry and skill. Isn’t that cool?

Studies referenced:

???? Exploring the Safety and Therapeutic Effects of Deep Pressure Stimulation Using a Weighted Blanket

???? Positive Effects of a Weighted Blanket on Insomnia

???? Effects of Deep Pressure Stimulation on Physiological Arousal

???? Physiological Effects of Deep Touch Pressure on Anxiety Alleviation: The Weighted Blanket Approach

???? The Effects of Deep Pressure Touch on Anxiety

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