Type 2 diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), is the most common type of diabetes in the country. The disease occurs when your body does not produce enough insulin or your cells cannot process or respond to the insulin, which your body needs for energy. Although moderate drinking likely won't interfere with your diabetes, it can cause complications if you drink in excess.
Women and Diabetes
Diabetes affects men and women almost equally, according to Womenshealth.gov. Out of the estimated 12 million American women who suffer from diabetes, as many as 25 percent do not know they have the disease. The National Institutes of Health reports that in adults diagnosed with diabetes, up to 95 percent of the time it is type 2. This type of diabetes is also more common in older people and those who are overweight.
Women and Alcohol
Women meet the diagnostic criteria for alcoholism and binge drinking at half the rate of men, according to 2005 statistics by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. However, women are more easily affected by alcohol and can risk getting into dangerous situations when attempting to keep up with male counterparts while drinking.
Alcohol and Diabetes
The medications you are on to control your diabetes, whether it’s insulin or sulfonylureas and meglitinides to lower blood glucose, can be affected by alcohol. The National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC) recommends avoiding alcohol if your blood glucose is low and if your stomach is empty. According to the NDIC, drinking, especially on an empty stomach, can cause hypoglycemia as much as one or two days later. People who take insulin are at higher risk for developing alcohol-related hypoglycemia compared to those on other diabetes medications, according to the NDIC.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is another way of saying low blood sugar or low glucose. It occurs when blood glucose drops blow normal levels. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include tremors, dizziness, confusion and slurred speech—all of which can be mistaken for intoxication. Because the symptoms are so similar, it is recommended that you wear a medical identification bracelet for diabetes so that if you’re ever among strangers and have an episode, it won’t be mistaken for public intoxication.
Female Diabetics Who Drink
The NDIC reports that people with diabetes should be cautious with binge drinking because of its increased risk of causing hypoglycemia. When your body breaks down the alcohol, it interferes with your liver’s ability to raise blood glucose. This is especially concerning for women because they break down alcohol at a slower rate compared to men. Binge drinking for women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, entails consuming four or more drinks within about two hours. The NDIC explains, “Hypoglycemia caused by excessive drinking can be serious and even fatal.”
