- With Mayo Clinic diabetes educators
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
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Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Nancy Klobassa Davidson and Peggy Moreland
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., B.S.N, C.D.E
Nancy Klobassa Davidson is a registered nurse who has worked in diabetes education for 17 years. She is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) and is currently in graduate school working on a Master of Science in nursing (M.S.N.) and health care education.Nancy works with adults who have type 1, type 2 and other forms of diabetes. Nancy is coordinator of the Diabetes Unit's intensive insulin therapy program within the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, & Nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Nancy has worked extensively with insulin pump therapy and continuous interstitial glucose sensing.
Peggy Moreland, R.N., M.S.N.
Peggy Moreland is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, & Nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.Peggy graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing and Health Care Education from the University of Phoenix and is a member of the American Association of Diabetes Educators and the American Diabetes Association. A certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.), Peggy enjoys working with patients to set and achieve diabetes self-management goals.
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Living with diabetes blog
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Dec. 9, 2011
Alcohol and diabetes: Drinking safely
By Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Patients often ask whether they can drink alcohol. Most people with diabetes are aware of how different foods affect their blood glucose, but aren't sure if alcohol and diabetes is safe. The American Diabetes Association recommends that you ask yourself three basic questions:
- Is your diabetes under control?
- Check with your healthcare provider. Do you have health problems that alcohol can make worse, such as diabetic nerve damage or high blood pressure?
- Do you know how alcohol can affect you and your diabetes?
Alcohol and your body
When you drink an alcoholic beverage, the alcohol moves quickly into the bloodstream without being metabolized in your stomach. Within five minutes of having a drink, there's enough alcohol in your bloodstream to measure. Alcohol is metabolized by the liver, and for the average person it takes approximately two hours to metabolize one drink. If you drink alcohol faster than your body metabolizes it, the excess alcohol moves through your bloodstream to other parts of your body, particularly your brain. If you've ever gotten a "buzz" when drinking alcohol, that's why.
If you're on insulin, or certain oral diabetes medications, such as a sulfonylurea (glipizide, glyburide) or meglitinide (Prandin) that stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin, drinking alcohol can cause a dangerous low blood sugar because your liver has to work to remove the alcohol from your blood instead of its main job to regulate your blood sugar.
Safe drinking guidelines
- Consult your physician and follow his/her advice — alcohol can worsen diabetes complications.
- Monitor your blood sugar before, during, and after drinking alcohol. Remember to check before going to bed.
- Never drink alcohol on an empty stomach — food slows down the absorption of alcohol into the blood stream.
- Avoid binge drinking — The American Diabetes Association suggests men have no more than two drinks a day, and women one, the same guidelines as for those without diabetes.
- Be prepared — Always carry along glucose tablets or another source of sugar. Glucagon shots will not work in this case.
- Don't mix alcohol and exercise — physical activity and alcohol will increase your chances of getting a low blood sugar.
The symptoms of too much alcohol and low blood sugar can be very similar, i.e. sleepiness, dizziness, and disorientation. You don't want others to mistakenly confuse hypoglycemia for drunkenness. Alcohol and diabetes is another reminder that it's always a good idea to wear a diabetes medical I.D.
- Peggy
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