How dangerous is it for a diabetic to drink?
I know that alcohol affects a diabetics body differently, but what would happen if a diabetic drank? Not got drunk, but just had a beer or two?
As long as they keep it to a minimum and make sure to monitor their blood glucose and take their insulin like they should, it's ok. However, do not drink heavily! Not only is there a lot of sugar in some alcoholic drinks, especially beers and mixed drinks, but when your body breaks down alcohol, it breaks some of down into simple sugars, which will raise your blood glucose even more. At the hospital where I work one of our frequent fliers is a 23 year old diabetic who comes in with DKA all the time, because she likes to party, and drinks so much so fast that her blood glucose sky rockets. Don't be like her! You will do permanent damage to your body and rack up unbelievable medical bills.
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Posted in diabetic
June 12th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
I have tested this every couple of days for many years and it's no problem.
Edit
Although Alwaysright is a Health Care Worker he or she is apparently not a doctor or nurse or he or she would know that alcohol reduces blood sugar and does not increase it.:-
http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/alcohol.jsp
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June 12th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
My significant other is diabetic. He has a beer or two when he comes over. I guess it would matter if a diabetic drank heavily. I am borderline diabetic. Even tho I stopped drinking, I have in the past, and I really think the two of them are unrelated, that it wouldn't affect a diabetic's body. In fact, having low levels of alcohol produces health benefits.
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June 12th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
As long as they keep it to a minimum and make sure to monitor their blood glucose and take their insulin like they should, it's ok. However, do not drink heavily! Not only is there a lot of sugar in some alcoholic drinks, especially beers and mixed drinks, but when your body breaks down alcohol, it breaks some of down into simple sugars, which will raise your blood glucose even more. At the hospital where I work one of our frequent fliers is a 23 year old diabetic who comes in with DKA all the time, because she likes to party, and drinks so much so fast that her blood glucose sky rockets. Don't be like her! You will do permanent damage to your body and rack up unbelievable medical bills.
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Health care worker
June 12th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
It is alright for a diabetic to have a drink or two, There should be no problem as I am also a diabetic and had been drinking as well
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June 12th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
my mom and i r diabetics…on new years eeve she drank beer and shots she got drunk and i tested her she was fine.. she told me r blood goes way up then waydown from it, never take insulin 4 alchehol…u cud kil urself….as the lady was saying about te 23 yr old.. she hurt herself…she drank all the time…if you drink like her of corse ull be ill..but if it casually ur ok! 8P hope i helped!
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June 12th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
he/she will die so don't even think of touching a bottle of beer
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June 12th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
Then you'd drink.
Nothing happens really.
Stay away from wines and beers, as they are incredibly sugary, in the alcohol process sugar is converted to alcohol, so that in low alcohol stuff, it's all sugar left behind.
Although alcohol does lower your sugar, in things like beer, there is a lot more sugar, so that beer can actually raise it before lowering it.
The best thing is something like vodka with a diet mixer, and keep a close eye on your sugars.
You might have to change it to a normal mixer.
Vodka, whiskey etc have absolutely no carbs.
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June 12th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
Arguably everything is different for diabetics because we have to test our blood sugar. That effects my diet, my work, my exercise regimen and my drinking. But there is nothing counterindicative about drinking and diabetes. In my experience, drinking certainly raises blood sugar in the short term, but then can reduce it hours later. Alcohol is metabolized pretty much as a sugar, but then it has effects on the liver's release of glucose, as regulated by glucagon. So, there are complex effects. YMMV.
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26 year drinker and 28 year type 1 diabetic in the peak of fitness.
June 13th, 2009 at 12:22 am
A beer or two once in a while, say once a week, isn't a problem. However, you need to understand that alcohol has carbohydrate, and it also causes your BG to crash 2-6 hours after drinking it. So you need to take insulin to cover the carbs, but eat a small fatty snack with it like some potato chips or nuts. The carbs will absorb slowly and will offset the dip in BG that will come later. You'll have to experiment with this a bit to see how your body reacts. And of course, you always need to keep your wits about you when you're diabetic, so only 1 or 2 drinks.
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Type 1 for 25 years, enjoy a Mike's Light Lemonade (6g carb) every couple of weeks
June 13th, 2009 at 1:10 am
Alcohol can reduce blood sugar. While I don't think a drink or two…as long as the person eats as well…will cause a problem, it's probably not a good idea to drink alcohol if you have diabetes.
I've had type 1 (juvenile) for many years and I don't drink at all. Of course, it's not only because I have diabetes but also because I'm an alcoholic, sober now for 17 years.
EMT
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