Friday, August 19, 2011

If You Are An Insulin Dependant Diabetic, Can You Die If You Dont Take It And Drink Alcohol?

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3 comments:

  1. horvys - I am a diabetic and take insulin. You need to be carefull when drinking alcohol. Acohol actully brings your sugar down. to a dangerouse level called diabetic hyperglycemia. if it gets to low you can go into a coma.and die.As always check with your healthcare provider to verify this.

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  2. syl c. - People with diabetes who take medication to control their blood sugar -- insulin shots or oral diabetes pills -- run the risk of low blood sugar levels if they drink alcohol. When blood sugar levels drop, the liver normally begins to produce glucose from stored carbohydrates to compensate. But drinking alcohol blocks the liver's ability to produce glucose. This is compounded if insulin is not taken as directed.

    This can lead to serious and fatal complications.

    Hope this helps.

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  3. Noccie - Depends - how long would the person be without diabetes? How much are they drinking?
    A person who is insulin dependent can go for days without insulin, but they'd become very sick and could eventually end up in a coma, but this is not something that happens in hours. Alcohol and diabetes can be a confusing combo - alcohol may actually lower the person's blood sugar. So no insulin plus alcohol COULD balance out, however, the reduction caused by alcohol is not as controlled as insulin. A little alcohol isn't a problem for people with diabetes and most learn how to adjust their insulin to account for a few adult beverages.
    If a person who is insulin dependent chooses to drink, he/she should not skip their insulin, they should do a bit more monitoring and not drink to excess.

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