Sleep Apnea: Excessive daytime sleepiness is often a sign of
sleep apnea, a disorder that causes interruptions in breathing during sleep up
to several times per night. It may be caused by faulty signals from the brain
or because the soft tissue at the back of the throat relaxes and blocks the
airway (calledobstructive sleep apnea,
or OSA). Most people with sleep apnea don't know what is happening or why they
feel so tired after what seems like a full night's rest. People with diabetes
are more likely to have sleep apnea than people without diabetes — and OSA
itself increases the risk of insulin resistance and may be a roadblock to
diabetes control. If you have sleep apnea, or if you experience unusual
sleepiness during the daytime, talk with your doctor. A full night's sleep is
not just a luxury, it's a health necessity.
