In an indirect way, you could say that alcohol causes diabetes. This is certainly not the case for the majority of diabetes cases, but it is possible that alcohol causes diabetes by damaging the pancreas. About 80% of all cases of chronic pancreatitis are the result of alcohol abuse. And about one-third of people with chronic pancreatitis develop diabetes type 2.

Another indirect way that alcohol causes diabetes is by contributing to obesity. Alcohol is high in calories, and people that consume a lot of alcohol on a regular basis have a high rate of obesity. Obesity, or being overweight, is thought to be one of the major risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

 

Alcohol Causes Diabetes Medication to React in Harmful Ways

 

The way insulin and most diabetes medications control the disease is to lower the blood glucose levels in the blood. Alcohol causes diabetes patients to experience hypoglycemia just after drinking too much and for as long as eight to twelve hours after drinking. If you are diabetic and plan to drink alcohol, it is important to check your blood sugar level before you drink, and to eat something before you drink, and while you are drinking. If the blood glucose level is too low (below 100), you need to be sure to eat something to raise it before drinking.

 

What is Hypoglycemia?

 

Hypoglycemia is just a long word that means the level of glucose in the blood is abnormally low. Alcohol lowers the blood sugar for everyone, but alcohol causes diabetes patients that are on medicine to lower the blood glucose level to sometimes experience hypoglycemia. The symptoms of hypoglycemia and being drunk are similar. It’s important that the two aren’t confused.

Sleepiness, disorientation, dizziness, and trouble with motor skills are experienced both with hypoglycemia and when drunk. If you are planning on drinking a lot (which isn’t recommended) you should make sure anyone you are with knows you are diabetic. That way, if you experience hypoglycemia and need assistance, those you are with will help you get the assistance you need instead of just assuming you’re drunk.

 

Some Alcohol Guidelines for Diabetics

 

  • The amount of alcohol consumed should be limited to one alcoholic beverage daily for women and two for men.
  • Since alcohol causes diabetes medication to lower the blood glucose even more than normal, test yourself before drinking to be sure your sugar level is not already too low. If it is, eat something to bring it up before starting to drink.
  • Sip your drink slowly to make it last longer.
  • If you drink alcohol regularly, be sure to let your doctor know so medication can be prescribed accordingly.