Diabetes mellitus is characterized by high blood glucose levels resulting from the body's inability to produce or use insulin. Insulin is a hormone needed to convert sugar and starches into energy. In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces no insulin. In Type 2, it doesn't produce enough insulin or the body's cells are unable to respond to it. The third type is gestational diabetes, which can occur around the third trimester of pregnancy and disappear after the birth.
Alcohol and Development of Type 2 Diabetes
According to MayoClinic.com, some indication exists that one drink a day for women and two for men may lower the risk of diabetes. However, heavy drinking can result in chronic inflammation of the pancreas. This reduces its ability to secrete insulin and leads to diabetes.
Short-Term Effects of Alcohol Consumption
According to the Rhode Island Department of Health, diabetics who do not have their disease under control should not drink. Diabetes medications, including insulin, are designed to lower blood glucose to safe levels. Alcohol lowers glucose for up to 12 hours after drinking. The combination of medication and alcohol can result in hypoglycemia.
Long-Term Effects of Alcohol Consumption
According to MayoClinic.com, more than three drinks in one sitting increases your risk of high blood pressure. Alcoholic drinks also contain calories that can contribute to excess weight. Excess weight, in turn, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Diabetes by itself increases your risk for cardiovascular disease, and the alcohol and extra weight compound it.
Alcohol Guidelines for Diabetics
The Rhode Island Department of Health advises diabetics to drink no more than two drinks per day and to avoid sweet drinks and mixers.
Wear medical identification so that in an emergency, responders know you have diabetes. Tell friends what your limit is, so they can help assure you do not go over it. Make sure they know about your diabetes, how to recognize a hypoglycemic episode and what to do in the event of one.
Warnings
The American Diabetes Association advises if you drink, check your blood glucose first. Never drink on an empty stomach. Instead, eat first or eat while drinking. After drinking and before going to sleep, check your glucose again to verify it's between 100 and 140 mg./dl. If it's low, eat something to keep it from dropping dangerously low while you're asleep.
Finally, discuss your disease, medication and alcohol with your doctor before taking a drink. If the doctor changes your medication type or dose, be sure to ask if it changes how you will react to alcohol.
