SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/diab-alcohol-lows

For an adult with diabetes who takes insulin, how can drinking alcohol affect blood sugar?

It can cause lows, even many hours later.

  1. It always raises blood sugar
  2. It can cause lows, even hours later ✔
  3. It has no effect at all

Why: Alcohol makes it harder for the body to keep blood sugar steady, especially on an empty stomach, and lows can show up hours later. It can also hide early low symptoms.

Huh, didn't know that: ADA says to monitor blood sugar closely during and after drinking alcohol.

The dad joke
Why did the glucose meter go to the party? To keep an eye on the numbers.
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Sources

  1. ADA, Causes and How to Prevent Hypoglycemia https://diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/hypoglycemia-low-blood-glucose/causes-prevention
  2. NIDDK, Low Blood Glucose (Hypoglycemia) https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/low-blood-glucose-hypoglycemia

Test yourself in the game

Health BasicsCan an adult be newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes?Health BasicsFor many people with diabetes, a blood sugar below what number counts as low?Health BasicsWhich of these is a common sign of low blood sugar?

That's stuff everyone should know.