Happy Hour and Cocktails; Alcohol & Diabetes

Happy Hour and Cocktails……
What you need to know before your night out on the town!

Let’s face it, we all like to share a glass of wine over nice dinner or have a cold glass of beer on a hot day after work with the boys. But you’re Diabetic, and that makes you different.
It makes you special, so don’t get down on yourself! Your body,
requires a little more maintenance to keep it running smoothly.

Let’s take a look at some important facts before we get to the more “technical” stuff:

• Alcohol is a toxin (doesn’t sound good does it?)
• Your body reacts to it like it’s a poison.
• When alcohol enters your system, your liver literally will not put out glucose until the alcohol is taken care of.
• Oops…it hits the hips, and of course makes for a beer belly
• If you already suffer from nerve damage, drinking will increase the pain….now who wants that?
• Alcohol can cause Hypoglycemia not long after it enters your system and stay for 8-12 hours after drinking.
• It will be hard for people to determine if you have had too much alcohol or if you’re Hypoglycemic as they look the same and therefore you very well may get the wrong treatment.

So, is it bottoms up?

Well let’s see. Maybe there should be a few points taken into consideration before hand. Ask yourself;

• Is your diabetes under control?
• Do I have nerve damage or high blood pressure?
• Have I spoke to my doctor about when and how I can drink?
• Have I eaten? No drinking on an empty stomach!.
• Do I know the product, its sugar and alcohol content?
• Where is my Blood Glucose Levels at right now?
• Is moderation my goal?
• Of course I will NOT DRIVE
• Double check…do I have my Medical Alert Bracelet on?
• If I am taking Diabetic medication in pill form, do I know the advice given to me by my physician?
• Are my glucose tablets handy?
• Where does this fit in with the advice and planning of my Dietician?

So now lets take a look at the “what you should know about alcohol and diabetes”

Taking Insulin or pills will put you at a risk of lower Blood Glucose levels when you drink. When your Blood Sugars start to drop, your liver will step in and get to work. It will begin to change your stored carbs into glucose and then send it to your blood. But, when alcohol enters your body this all changes. The liver wants to clean it out of the blood fast. To do this the liver will stop putting out glucose again until it has dealt with the alcohol. This could put you in the direct line of fire for a very low blood sugar. If this happens you will most likely have to treat more often. It is important to check your levels before you go to bed and snack to avoid a low Blood Glucose reaction while your asleep.
A safe level is between 100-140 mg.
A strong word of WARNING: Glucagon shots will not help severe Low Blood Glucose Levels caused from drinking.
These shots are meant to treat reactions caused by too much insulin. The glucagons works by getting your liver to release more glucose into your blood. In this case you will need to eat carbs or glucose tablets. Alcohol will stop the liver from releasing glucose.

If you chose to drink then put the effort forth to know the facts and cover your bases. Know that occasional is best and occasional means no more then 2 a day if you’re a man and one if you’re a woman. Take a look at some strategies that may help you in enjoying a social event;

-Take it slow, sipping will make it last longer
-Enjoy a diet beverage or water between drinks
-Pair up your drink with a snack
-Spritiz it up, this will decrease the amount of wine you consume.
-Opt for red wines, a dry or medium white wine
-Dry sherry
-Dry light beers that are low in sugar
-Always mix your spirits with diet mixers.

Check it out!!

-Know the alcohol content
-Don’t be fooled, some low sugar beers and lagers are higher in alcohol content and are definitely not recommended for diabetics
That are on insulin
-avoid sweet wines and liqueurs
-low alcohol drinks maybe deceptive and have much more alcohol than you realize.
-watch those alcohol free drinks…gut busters, some are very high in carbs and calories.

The facts as I have found them have been covered. With this information you’re armed and prepared full of knowledge. Nothing though replaces two things: You’re talking with your Physican, Nurse Educator and Members of your Diabetic team and very importantly, wearing your Medical Alert Bracelet.

Cautions and Things to know

Drinking can make matters worse for diabetics. With a predisposition to many issues, alcohol can increase its consequences.
Heavy drinking can lead to increased chances of a diabetics eyesight worsening.
Any pre-existing nerve damage, be it in the arms, legs or feet could be made worse. This will lead to more pain, burning, numbing and tingling.
Drinking is all empty calories and heavy consumption is adding to your condition and not adhering to a proper diet.

Take care of you, know the facts.