The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Taskforce on Epidemiology and Prevention published an article in April 2008 in the journal Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice. For the first time, an independent taskforce outside of sleep medicine has recommended that physicians who treat Type 2 Diabetes should collaborate with sleep specialists in order to evaluate all diabetic patients for sleep disordered breathing (SDB).

Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Previous research has shown a strong link between SDB, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Studies show that patients with diabetes are at a much higher risk for cardiovascular disease, ranging from high blood pressure to heart attack and stroke. According to the IDF, cardiovascular disease is a major cause of mortality in diabetics, accounting for 50% of all diabetic fatalities.

SDB is often found in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. The most common complaint is loud snoring and pauses in breathing which results in increased brain activity, fragmented sleep, drops in blood oxygen (hypoxia), and excessive daytime sleepiness.