Cynthia Zuber, who suffers from Type 1 diabetes, was 18 when she went to her first fraternity party, not knowing how drinking alcohol and taking insulin would effect her body. "It was a party of upperclassmen, and my friend and I, both freshmen, felt very young and out of place. To deal with the discomfort, I started drinking beer," said Zuber.
Throughout the evening Zuber went back for refills, and her friends brought her more as well. She soon lost track of how many beers she had and neither did she know where her blood sugar level was at.
Alcohol can cause blood sugar levels to drop dangerously low for those on blood sugar lowering medications for as long as 12 hours after your last drink.
"Things got out of control quickly, and when we went to leave I had to be carried to the car and into my dorm," said Zuber. Zuber vomited throughout the night and at some point passed out. She hadn't checked her blood sugar levels. In the morning when she woke up, she was still vomiting. After finally testing her blood sugar level she discovered it was low enough that she had to eat something or a serious problem would occur. Problem was because of the hangover from the alcohol, she couldn't keep any food down. Zuber eventually ended up in the hospital.
"I was oblivious to the danger I'd put myself in. The doctor [...] actually slapped me across the face- not hard, but to get my attention." The doctor explained to her the ways alcohol can affect someone with Type 1 diabetes, which can include death.
She didn't give up alcohol completely after that incident, but cut way back and never put herself in the hospital because of it again. Now 36, Zuber completely gave up alcohol because she feels better when she doesn't drink at all.
If you are going to drink, the American Diabetes Association recommends having a snack the same time you are consuming alcohol and not to have more than one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men. More importantly, the ADA says to check your blood sugar before going to sleep after drinking alcohol, striving for a level between 100 and 140 milligrams per deciliter.
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Bristol office to make an appointment.
Richard E. Ehle, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Care in CT
Podiatrist in Bristol, CT
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