Diabetic Sleep Needs

Diabetics have a lot to deal with. Constant blood sugar tests, watching the diet carefully and getting regular exercise are important. If you have diabetes, you know that you have to watch for wounds that don't heal and for symptoms of heart disease and blindness. Now, you have another worry...not getting enough sleep.

Sleep is vital for all of us. It isn't just that we may be sleepy or irritable without a minimum of seven hours per night, it can lead to a lot of other problems. It can also make some medical conditions worse, and diabetes is one of them. Studies indicate that heart disease, obesity and depression can all be caused by a constant sleep deficit. It can even put you at greater risk for certain types of cancer.

If you believe you have the problem, first talk with your doctor. A sleep study may be ordered to find out what is going on while you are trying to snooze. If there is evidence of sleep apnea, for instance, you may need a splint or breathing apparatus during the night.

There are also some home remedies that could help. You'll want to coordinate them with your doctor to be sure they are right for you, but they are also a little more natural. Some don't even involve herbal remedies.

Associate the Bedroom with Sleep Only: It's important to make sure your brain associates the bedroom with sleeping. Don't watch television or read in bed. Texting, exercising and talking on the phone should also be avoided when you are in bed.

Caffeine: This tannic acid can do a lot of things to your body. Casting all others aside for a different article, it can prevent you from sleeping. If you must consume it, stop by noon or at least ten hours before you plan on going to bed. This includes chocolate, decaf tea/coffee and many weight loss supplements.

Exercise: Getting a workout is great for your body but not for your insomnia. You should have at lest four and preferably eight hours between your exercise and bedtime. This will give your body a chance to relax.

Herbs: Valerian is the go to herb for insomnia, though it will take ten days or so before you notice a difference. Beware, it smells worse than well used gym socks. If stress is part of the problem, chamomile, jasmine, lavender and passionflower may also be beneficial.

Kill the Lights: It's not just the room lights that can be a problem. If you have a street lamp shining directly into your room, you may need some sort of window treatment to block the light. We also tend to have appliances that cast light, so dim the alarm clock lights and block out any that are not required, such as those on DVD or VCR players.

Make sure that your doctor approves any herbal supplements before you start taking them. Some can interact with medications or have side effects that are harmful to your medical condition. Tell the doctor about any other medications as well as medical conditions. Working together, you can find a way to sleep through the night.

My eBook the Complete Guide to Complementary Remedies, has information from all of my mini books, plus much more. Topics include:
• Arthritis: Page Forty-three
• Diabetes: Page Forty-seven
• Kidney Problems: Page Fifty-seven
• Skin Care: Page Eighty-seven

Our site has information on many topics and my five eBooks about herbal remedies. You can also download my free report, the Top Ten Herbs. It details ten popular herbs, their uses, side effects, precautions and drug interactions. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me: mary@healing-home-remedies.com