DRINKING ALCOHOL- TOP TIPS
People with diabetes are able to drink alcohol but sensible drinking recommnedations still apply. Take the following precautions for your own safety and the safety of others.
KNOW YOUR LIMITS
Government guidelines for sensible drinking are:
No more than 2 units per day for women or 14 units per week for women
No more than 3 units per day for men or 21 units per week for men Whether you have diabetes or not
((1) One unit =1 glass of wine, ½ pint of beer or cider or 1 pub measure of spirits ie whiskey Gin, sherry, vermouth, aperitif or liqueur)
It’s better to drink less - aim have 2 or 3 alcohol free days each week.
1. DIABETES AND ALCOHOL
It is important to understand what happens to your own blood sugar (glucose) levels under the influence of alcohol, by monitoring your blood sugars. It is important to know what YOUR limits are as alcohol affects us all differently.
If your diabetes is treated with certain tablets or insulin, alcohol can cause your blood sugars to fall too low, thus can lead to hypos or hypoglycaemia. This can happen 4-6 hours after drinking alcohol, so it is important to take regular snacks and meals to prevent this from occurring.
The liver gets rid of alcohol at the rate of about one unit per hour, but this can vary. So if you drink more than a few units in an evening, you will have an increased risk of a hypo all night and also part of the next day as the liver continues to get rid of alcohol.
2. ADVICE ON CONTROLING ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION WITH DIABETES
Unless advised otherwise an occasional drink will do no harm if taken just before or with food avoid drinking on empty stomach .If you are going to have alcohol, have it with a meal or a snack and try to:
Avoid low sugar ‘diabetic’ or ‘diet’ drinks, extra strength lager often advertised as ‘low in sugar’ or ‘diet pills’ as they contain more alcohol than ordinary varieties. They are also higher in calories
If you drink beer or lager, choose ordinary ones, preferably with an alcohol content of less than 5%
Try alternating non- alcoholic sugar- free drinks with alcohol.
Try to have 1 or 2 alcohol free days.
If you drink wine or sherry, choose medium/dry varieties, when you can, although the occasional sweet drink is fine.
Remember your judgement is affected when you drink. You may not recognise that your blood glucose levels are low.
Make sure your friends know about hypos.
NEVER DRINK and DRIVE
A hypo can happen some hours after a drinking session. Check your blood sugar levels before you go to sleep and have a snack if needed!
Do not try to correct a high blood glucose level before you go to sleep by taking more insulin.
Alcohol may cause unpleasant “flushing” in some people who are taking diabetic tablets.
REMEMBER - PRECAUTIONS
Always carry glucose tablets or sweets on you
Always carry your Identification of you diabetes
All alcoholic drinks taken in greater amounts can make severe hypos more likely particularly while you are asleep.
Some alcoholic drinks may be high in calories and carbohydrate and can raise blood glucose considerably. If you want to lose or maintain your weight- Keep you’re alcohol intake down
Cordial, dilute and soft drinks should be diet, sugar free or low calorie.
Use low calorie or sugar free mixers with spirits or aperitifs, eg low calorie lemonade, slimeline tonic, mineral water.
Hypoglycaemia and drunken behaviour can be confused with each other
Your safety and the safety of others is your responsibility
3. REMEMBER - PRECAUTIONS
Always carry glucose tablets or sweets on you
Always carry your Identification of you diabetes
All alcoholic drinks taken in greater amounts can make severe hypos more likely particularly while you are asleep.
Some alcoholic drinks may be high in calories and carbohydrate and can raise blood glucose considerably. If you want to lose or maintain your weight- Keep you’re alcohol intake down
Cordial, dilute and soft drinks should be diet, sugar free or low calorie.
Use low calorie or sugar free mixers with spirits or aperitifs, eg low calorie lemonade, slimeline tonic, mineral water.
Hypoglycaemia and drunken behaviour can be confused with each other
Your safety and the safety of others is your responsibility
4. THE MORNING AFTER
Always have some breakfast even if you don’t feel like it.
Make sure you have plenty of sugar free liquids and eat starchy food
If you are having symptoms of a hypoglycaemia or hypos you need to treat it straight away -Do NOT ignore it!
Never stop taking your tablets or insulin.
You can take over the counter remedies like paracetamol or antacids
(Ref:Diabetes UK, LNDS)
USEFUL LINK
Alcohol & Diabetes- What you need to know
Information produced and link provided by NHS Greater Glasgow- (nhsdiabetes.digitalroutes.co.uk)
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