Guven Medical and Health Sciences
Articles
Sleep disorders, diabetes and obesity
Authors: İbrahim Demirci
Abstract
Sleep is an indispensable process for life, characterized by intense mental and metabolic activity. Modern life, ushered in by industrialization, has reduced sleep duration, leading to an increase in sleep disorders and related chronic conditions such as diabetes and obesity. This review aims to examine the relationship between sleep disorders, diabetes, and obesity. Sleep consists of non-REM and REM stages; non-REM supports metabolic restoration, while REM primarily aids cognitive functions. The sleep-wake cycle is regulated by circadian and homeostatic systems. Factors disrupting sleep duration and quality heighten the risk of various metabolic diseases, with sleep disorders being more prevalent in chronic conditions like obesity and diabetes. Reduced sleep duration and impaired sleep quality negatively affect glucose metabolism, increasing the risk of insulin resistance, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes. Additionally, it boosts appetite through decreased leptin and increased ghrelin levels, contributing to weight gain. According to current data from Türkiye, the prevalence of diabetes is 15.9%, and obesity is 20.2%. Even a 1-hour reduction in daily sleep can increase the 10-year risk of developing diabetes by 3%. Insomnia raises diabetes risk by 2.88 times and elevates HbA1c and fasting glucose levels in diabetic individuals. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) occurs in 60% of individuals with a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m², worsening with weight gain. It also increases diabetes risk by 35-49% and is linked to obesity, present in 90% of diabetics. Restless legs syndrome, seen four times more frequently in diabetics, exacerbates insulin resistance. Shift work increases diabetes risk by 22-40% and obesity risk by 17%. In conclusion, sleep disorders are closely associated with metabolic diseases, particularly diabetes and obesity. Successful treatment and management of these conditions are directly proportional to a comprehensive patient evaluation and treatment plan. Therefore, chronic disease management must include an assessment of sleep health.
DOI: 10.62351/gmhs.2025.0020
The effect of child-adolescent obesity on reproductive functions in adulthood
Authors: Ayça Törel Ergür
Abstract
Nowadays, obesity, which is growing like an avalanche, is accepted as a disease. The comorbidities it creates seriously affect the whole life, damaging the concept of healthy adulthood. Research shows that obesity, which starts from childhood and affects adolescence, has negative effects on reproductive health as well as on all systems. Childhood adiposity is important because of its effect on healthy reproductive functions in adults. This reveals the necessity of handling the diagnosis and treatment management of cases with obesity in childhood with a multidisciplinary approach. In this review, it is aimed to discuss the possible effects of obesity beginning at an early age on future reproductive functions in the light of the literature.
DOI: 10.62351/gmhs.2025.0019
Diagnosis and treatment of preterm labor
Authors: Sümeyye Mermi
Abstract
Preterm birth remains one of the leading causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines preterm birth as delivery occurring before 37 weeks of gestation. According to global statistics, approximately 15 million babies are born prematurely each year, accounting for around 10% of total births worldwide. In Turkey, the preterm birth rate was reported to be 12.9% in 2022 (Turkish Ministry of Health, 2022). Early diagnosis and appropriate management of preterm labor are crucial for preventing neonatal complications. While preterm infants born at later gestational ages generally have a better prognosis, those born before 28 weeks of gestation face significantly higher risks of mortality and long-term neurological sequelae. Severe complications associated with preterm birth include intraventricular hemorrhage, respiratory distress syndrome, necrotizing enterocolitis, and sepsis. The diagnosis of preterm labor relies on clinical assessment, ultrasonography, and biochemical markers, while treatment strategies include antenatal corticosteroids, tocolytics, antibiotics, and neuroprotective interventions. Despite advances in perinatal medicine, the prevention and management of preterm birth remain major challenges in obstetric practice. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the etiology, pathogenesis, risk factors, diagnostic methods, and current literature on preterm labor.
DOI: 10.62351/gmhs.2025.0018
Evaluation of individuals with hearing loss
Authors: Rauf Oğuzhan Kum
Abstract
Hearing is an important sensory ability for a social being to fully comprehend what is happening around him and to create the necessary response. Throughout history, humans have needed good hearing in order to communicate and not to hunt or be hunted. Hearing loss is defined as a partial or complete decrease in a person's ability to hear sounds. Hearing loss causes problems in understanding what is being said in addition to not hearing sounds in daily life and leads to communication problems. Lack of auditory input can also affect mental performance and greatly increase communication problems and reduce quality of life. In this review, early recognition of hearing loss and general treatment options are discussed.
DOI: 10.62351/gmhs.2025.0017