Hypoglycemia and alcohol?

Question

I think I may be hypoglycemic ( waiting for test results) and I drank alcohol like 5 hours ago and I feel jittery. What can I do to calm my system down?

Answer 1

The guy above me is promoting a dangerous scam-cure.

You must be very careful with alcahol if you have hypoglycemia or diabetes. Ask your doctor how you can incorporate it safely into your lifestyle.

Answer 2

No, alcohol itself does not directly affect blood sugar levels in any meaningful way unless your hypoglycemia is somehow being caused by a liver malfunction. However, consumable alcohols are almost all created from fruits or high-starch vegetables, which tend to leave a high number of carbs in them. This is where the trouble comes in. Some thicker beers like Sam Adams Black Lager have more than a full carb choice in each can/bottle [19g of carbs in this case], so 3 of those pretty much counts as a meal(!) for most diabetics. Even light beers aren't all the same, with most having over 6g carbs per can/bottle. Miller Lite and MGD64 are among the best beers in this respect, with both in the 2.5-3g range. This can add up quickly if you aren't paying attention, and everyone knows it's not always easy to keep track of how many you've already had. Mixed drinks almost always include juices, which are just more carbs. Also, drunk people tend to lose inhibitions, including what they eat. This is a particular problem in bars where the foods commonly on the table are (high starch again) chips, pretzels, and nuts. So long as you are mindful of what you are consuming, it shouldn't be a problem, but being mindful and drunk isn't a skill everyone has.

Answer 3

^ I hope your tests come back okay. This is what you should do, if this happens again, drink water to stay hydrated and eat or drink some fast acting carbs. like, milk, orange juice, regular soda not diet, a tablespoon of honey or jelly, they will raise your glucose faster than some other food/drinks.
Alcohol lowers your glucose (sugar), if your hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic your better off not drinking. I hope this helps, good luck with your tests.

Answer 4

Cheddar cheese, apple slices and whole wheat crackers.

Peanut butter on whole wheat.

OR

Tuna sandwich on whole wheat.

To stabilize blood sugar, eat a balanced protein-packed small meal.

To drink alcohol as a hypoglycemic, eat first.

Answer 5

N.B. To the ASKER; This is a completely new and revised reply to the question. So pls disregard the two bad ratings given to the original answer.

If you are hypoglycemic ( abnormal low levels of blood sugar); you should refrain from alcohol consumption. Alcohol is a depressant that reduces blood sugar levels and thus would exacerbate your existing problem If you must drink, drink in moderation and with a full stomach so your carbohydrate level is adequate.


Below is a pathophysiology how alcohol reduces blood sugar.

Alcohol use can cause brain damage, a loss of consciousness or even death by reducing the supply of sugar (glucose) to the brain. Muscle, heart, liver and other tissues use fat and sugar (glucose) for fuel. The brain, however, needs sugar to function. To avoid a depletion of sugar, the body stores sugar in the form of glycogen. Glycogen stores, however, can be depleted in a short period of time with prolonged work or exercise, fasting or a diet low in carbohydrate. Furthermore, alcohol reduces the process that allows sugar to be stored as glycogen.


When dieting particularly in the rapid weight loss period and if on a low carbohydrate diet, you may have low amounts of stored sugar (glycogen). Drinking alcohol could deplete those stores and cause blood sugar levels to further decline.


The body, however, has another mechanism to maintain appropriate amounts of sugar in the body. This process is known as gluconeogenesis and is a chemical pathway that converts certain components of protein, lactic acid and other substances into sugar. However, alcohol reduces the production of sugar by this process and can, thereby, cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).


Usually when blood sugar levels fall, there are certain hormones produced that restore blood sugar levels to normal. However, when someone drinks alcohol, the response of these hormones to low blood sugar is blunted.


Hypoglycemic patients and diabetic patients therefore, would have a much higher risk of becoming more hypoglycemic (having low blood sugar) than others. That's how Intoxication and the resultant hypoglycemia would eventually lead to loss of consciousness or "passing out". That's the main reason why there is a moving violation for driving under the influence of alcohol as your judgment and alertness are compromised.

My ex-husband who had a drinking problem for yrs eventually became a diabetic He only discovered his Diabetes after he suffered frequent hypoglycemic episodes. which were mistaken initially for heart atttacks. . .


Since the brain and nervous system need sugar for fuel, low blood levels could adversely affect neuromuscular and cognitive functions, causing a loss of coordination and balance, slurred speech, poor vision, and confusion. These are all conditions that mimic those associated with intoxication.


"Being jittery" doesn't necessarily indicate intoxication even though your blood alcohol levels might not be high. But it might indicate hypoglycemia. Low blood sugar, over a period of time, can result in a ‘black out’ or loss of consciousness, brain and nerve damage You should address your hypoglycemic problem by immediately drinking a glass of orange juice. This is our first line of intervention according to hospital protocol on hypoglycemia.



You should also consume a lot of fluids such as water to flush out your system. With alcoholic patients in DT's crisis ;we give tremendous amts of either IV or po fluids.


Drinking alcohol may also reduce maximal weight loss success. Alcohol has no nutrient benefits and contains high numbers of calories that may cause weight gain or prevent weight loss. One 12-ounce can of beer, for instance, contains 150 calories; 3.5 ounces of wine contains 70 calories; 1.5 ounces of gin, rum, vodka or whiskey contains between 97 and 124 calories; and 1.5 ounces of liquor contains 160 calories

Answer 6

Alcohol lowers your blood sugar.
Eat some protein and carbs.

Feel better.

Answer 7

Drink alot of water to flush your system.Do not eat or drink anything with sugar in it.Alcohol is full of sugar no matter what kind it is .Beer wine, whiskey,gin etc....

Answer 8

If you just drank then you are going to have to wait for the alcohol to get out of your system. I beleve the Dr is gong to tell you the same thing but he may have meds for you and tell you to stop drinking.

Answer 9

Alcohol has a lower effect on blood sugar if u feel jittery you should drink some fruit juice asap, O J is the best.You need a glucose meter asap.Low blood sugar will kill you.

Answer 10

well the obvious is too see a doctor;

however, you should lower your intake of caffeine, and/or alcohol;

but see a doctor first

ck