My boyfriend has had type 2 diabetes for about 5 years. He takes metformin and starlix, and is pretty good with his diet.
He has terrible trouble sleeping, and can get very tired. He doesn’t really put it down to his diabetes (he cared for his late wife for several years, and got used to being up regularly in the night) but I have heard that diabetes can cause insomnia, and I want him to look into some natural sleep treatments. Over the last 6 months, his sleeping problems have got worse, and at his last diabetes review, the doctor increased his metfomin dose slightly.
He isn’t really overweight, although the doctor advised he lose half a stone just to keep tabs on things.
Does anyone take sleeping supplements or could suggest anything?
Sleeping Trouble, Tiredness. Type 2?
March 17th, 2011 § Tags: sleeping, Tiredness, Trouble, Type Posted in Diet § § 5 comments
My suggestion would be to do what works for me. Walk about 2 to 3 miles at least two hours before bed. Take one cap of valerian root and one of GABA 1/2 hour before bed. This has helped quite a bit. I have fibromyalgia, so I need all the quality sleep I can muster.
In addition to the above, which is mostly for sleep, he might want to review what I’ve done to get off the Metformin. Since doing so, many health aspects have returned to nearly normal. Here’s my blog on that:http://www.geocities.com/seabulls69/Type…
good exercise ought to help him sleep better! Keeping tight control of the glucose numbers helps too.
I take little cat naps during the day! A rest period helps me to sleep better during the night.
He might get away with a cup of hot milk with nutmeg in it for sleep aid. Both are natural sedatives and fairly potent. I do a nice warm bath, a cup of hot milk with nutmeg, and read a boring book for a bit when I get too tired!!
good luck, my friend!
I have been an insomniac for years. I tried taking prescribed medication, and it worked but I wanted something more natural to help me. My doctor suggested a combination of melatonin and valerian root. The valerian i get comes n capsules and smelle bad, but works very well. You can get them anywhere that sells vitamins and natural supplements, including health stores. There are also teas that you can buy that contain camomille and lavender, which is excellent for relaxation and sleep. I wish you both the best, and much sleep!
Email me. I can pass on a diet supplement I have taken since being a diabetic for over a year. More energy, sleep through the night ready for the new day, think clearer, lost inches not weight and more.
Best of all it does not drive my glucose out the window.
Best Wishes.
This will help with the sleeping problem as well as the diabetes.Both of you do it and compare notes.Drink warm water.
These pranayam exercises will help control the diabetes and the side effects.Build up the timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume later.The benefits will be noticed in weeks as the sugar level is checked daily.Over the long tern the diabetes will be in full control and the medicine can be reduced in consultation with the doctor.
Anulom Vilom –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril
then -keeping the left nostril closed deep breath-in through right nostril
then – close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day(maximum 60 minutes in one day).
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.
Kapalbhati -(Do it before eating) Push air forcefully out through the nose about once per second. Stomach will itself go in(contract in). The breathing in(through the nose) will happen automatically. Establish a rhythm and do for 20 to 30 minutes twice a day.(Max 60 min/day) Not for pregnant women. Seriously ill people do it gently.
Also everyday press the centre point of the palm of your hand 40 times with the thumb and press the tips of all fingers 40 times each.