Dentists and diabetes patients have an important relationship because of the link between oral health and blood sugar control. A new link discovered between obstructive sleep apnea and diabetic neuropathy will have us working even closer with our diabetic patients to maintain their overall health.

A British study reported that patients with obstructive sleep apnea and diabetes were much more likely to experience neuropathy in their extremities. Two thirds of the study group of patients with type 2 diabetes had obstructive sleep apnea and 60% of these patients had peripheral neuropathy. In the patients who did not have sleep apnea only 27% experienced neuropathy.

The study did not look at the effects of sleep apnea treatment only the link between type 2 diabetes and the sleep breathing disorder. Previous studies have linked poor blood sugar control with obstructive sleep apnea.

If you are a diabetic patient who experiences extreme daytime sleepiness, snores loudly or gasps during sleep you may have undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea. Treatment may help with blood sugar control and weight loss issues. An effective and simple treatment option for mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea is an oral appliance created by a dentist with experience and training in the field of dental sleep medicine.

Please contact sleep apnea dentist Dr. Mark Levy at StoneRidge Dental Care in Columbus, OH today at 614-476-6696 to schedule your consultation.