Alcohol and Diabetes – Simple Rules | Body Under the Influence of Alcohol | Drinking Alcohol Leads to Starvation of Cells | After Drinking Alcohol
How does alcohol affect a diabetic? The main condition for compensating for diabetes and preventing possible complications is maintaining normal glucose values in the blood.
Alcohol and Diabetes – simple rules
This can be achieved with the help of simple rules:
- follow a special diet, which consists in daily limiting the amount of carbohydrates;
- take medicines to lower blood sugar, which is typical for type 2 diabetes;
- follow the prescribed dose of short and long-acting insulin (necessary for type 1 diabetes).
Many people who first encountered the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus find it difficult to immediately adopt a new lifestyle, as well as change their usual diet, in which at least sometimes or only on holidays, included hard liquor. That is why it is important for each patient to know whether different types of alcohol are compatible with the diet recommended for the disease, and also what alcoholic beverages do minimal harm.
Processes that occur in the body under the influence of alcohol
• The amount of glucose produced by the liver is slowed down into the bloodstream, which increases the burden on the organ. In the event of an unexpected need for glucose, the liver will not be able to timely replenish its reserves due to the release of glycogen.
• Carbohydrates taken by a person with alcohol are absorbed more slowly, which is most dangerous for people with type 1 disease, when insulin is injected into the body, forming excesses. An increased level of the hormone at the time of drinking alcohol leads to starvation of cells and can worsen a person’s well-being. When intoxicated, people suffering from diabetes are quite capable of skipping the first signals of hypoglycemia, that is, a sharp drop in glucose in the blood, taking their feelings for habitual malaise after strong drinks.
An increased level of the hormone at the time of drinking alcohol leads to starvation of cells and can worsen a person’s well-being.
• Alcohol, like many other treats on the patient’s menu, is quite high in calories. It should be remembered that in the composition of alcohol there are no useful substances necessary for metabolic processes, therefore it leads to excessive deposition of lipids in the blood and obesity, which is dangerous for a diabetic.
• Existing chronic diseases of the liver and kidneys are aggravated, and the course of various cardiovascular diseases is also aggravated.
After drinking alcohol
• After drinking alcohol, appetite increases, so a person can uncontrolledly start consuming carbohydrates, leading his body to hyperglycemia (a sharp increase in blood sugar value).
• Ethyl alcohol, which is part of alcohol production, contributes to breakdown of peripheral nerves.
It is important to remember that patients with diabetes should periodically take certain drugs in order to maintain blood vessels and minimize the risk of rapid development of complications that cannot be compatible even with a small amount of any type of alcohol.