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Alcohol Related Deaths Among Patients With T1 Diabetes

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Cowboyjim

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Worrying Rise in Alcohol Related Deaths Among Patients With Diabetes
Alcohol has become an important cause of death among patients with type 1 diabetes since the 1980s, concludes a study published online in the British Medical Journal. The study also shows that, while survival of patients with early onset type 1 diabetes (age 0-14 years) has improved with time, survival of patients with late onset type 1 diabetes (age 15-29 years) has deteriorated since the 1980s.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110908191051.htm
 
This study should be highlighted IMHO.
Alcohol is a dangerous drug and yet it is promoted on this forum to lower blood sugars. You may end up with perfect numbers but at what cost to your health?

Moderation is the key.
 
I think there several aspects for alcohol related deaths in T1.
From a personal point of view I know that alcohol affected me just before diagnosis. I became very 'ill drunk' on just a couple of glasses of wine, something that hadn't happened to me for many years. I'm not sure of the exact mechanism but basically my liver wasn't able to cope with the alcohol. I don't know if it was near to killing me, I definitely needed the help of my husband and I can think of circumstances when it could have led to death. A similar situation could arise when young people don't take their insulin and have very high glucose levels.
A second aspect is more commonly mentioned ; too much insulin, too low glucose levels, unrecognised hypo and the liver not able to respond because it's processing the alcohol.

Young (and older) people need advice on safer drinking. They need to know that it's sensible to eat carbs alongside drinking and to check glucose levels frequently but they also need to have the self confidence to do that alongside their non diabetic peers. Not always easy , especially when drinking large amounts at the weekend seems to be more and more the norm.
I also think that some T1s (and probably T2s) self medicate with alcohol, not necessarily to lower their glucose levels but as a coping strategy ie to help combat the depression or denial that often acompanies diabetes. On forums I've now seen 2 cases of alcohol and insulin related deaths , and another where the person suffered huge cognitive prolems . I think all three of these cases were ultimately caused by this. What seems to be missing in too many cases is help for people in that situation.... difficult though because it's an easy one to hide from medical professionals.
 
Alcohol is one of the oldest drugs known to mankind. Or, in terms that may be more acceptable in today’s culture, alcohol is one of the oldest mind-altering substances known to humanity.
 
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