People with diabetes must practice strict dietary control to keep their blood sugar at healthy levels. This can help them to avoid, or at least delay, the disease's long term complications, such as heart disease and blindness. Alcohol consumption is a particularly complex area where diabetes is concerned. Diabetics can safely drink alcohol as long as they do so in moderation and with careful attention to their blood glucose levels.
Process
Your liver normally works to regulate your blood sugar. But when you drink alcohol, your liver also takes on the job of metabolizing the beer, wine or liquor that you have consumed. Alcohol intake, particularly if you are taking medications such as sulfonylurea or meglitinide to encourage your pancreas to make more insulin, can cause perilously low blood sugar, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Risks
Hypoglycemia can be a serious situation. Among the symptoms, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, are anxiety, shaking, hunger, drowsiness and weakness. Severe cases can lead to confusion, stumbling, fainting and even seizures, coma and death. Compounding the problem when alcohol is involved is that based on the symptoms, people may simply think you are intoxicated instead of helping you get the care you need. Wearing a diabetes medical ID can help to head off such problems, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Guidelines
If you have diabetes and choose to drink, there are a few rules to live--and drink--by. Only consume alcoholic beverages with food, the American Diabetes Association recommends, and limit the amount: one drink or less per day for women and two drinks or less for men. (A drink is 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of hard liquor.) Check your blood glucose before drinking and have a bite to eat prior to or during the drinking session. Also, check it before going to bed to ensure it is between 100 mg/dL and 140 mg/dL because hypoglycemia can occur as long as 12 hours after you consume alcohol.
Solutions
If you have a few drinks and find yourself with low blood sugar, you have several options for getting back on track quickly, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. Check your blood sugar with a meter, and if it is below 70 mg/dL, try one of the following: 4 ounces of regular soda; 8 ounces of milk; five or six pieces of hard candy; a tablespoon of honey or sugar; 4 ounces of fruit juice; three or four glucose tablets; or a serving of glucose gel. Check your blood sugar again in 15 minutes and repeat the procedure if your blood sugar is still not at a safe level. Severe hypoglycemia, in which you may pass out, requires prompt medical attention.
Warning
Some people maintain glucagon emergency kits that relatives, friends or co-workers can use to help them if they pass out from hypoglycemia. They contain a syringe and injectable glucagon powder. Glucagon is a hormone made in the pancreas that raises blood glucose. But these kits will not help if you develop hypoglycemia from drinking alcohol, according to Ohio State University Medical Center. The reason: "Glucagon works by getting your liver to release more glucose into your bloodstream," according to OSU, "but alcohol stops this process." You have to depend on other dietary quick fixes or, if you lose consciousness, emergency medical assistance.
