MANAGING ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO LIVING WITH DIABETES SUPPLEMENT: MANAGING ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO LIVING WITH DIABETES

RISKS OF TOBACCO USE LIVING WITH DIABETES Smokers are 30-40% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than non-smokers. People with diabetes that smoke are more likely than non-smokers to have trouble with insulin dosing and with controlling their disease; smoking makes your diabetes harder to control. The more cigarettes you smoke, the higher your risk for type 2 diabetes. Smokers with diabetes have higher risks for serious complications, including: Heart and kidney disease Poor blood flow in legs and feet that can lead to infections, ulcers, and possible amputation Retinopathy (an eye disease that can cause blindness) Peripheral neuropathy (damaged nerves to the arms and legs than cause numbness, pain, weakness, and poor coordination) If you are a smoker with diabetes, quitting smoking will benefit your health right away. People who quit have better control of their blood sugar levels.

QUIT SMOKING TODAY BENEFITS OF QUITTING SMOKING: INCREASED ENERGY LEVELS IMPROVEMENT IN SKIN CLARITY ABILITY TO PERFORM EXERCISE MORE EASILY IMPROVED SENSE OF TASTE AND SMELL LOTS OF MONEY SAVED TIPS TO QUIT SMOKING: SET A QUIT DATE. ASK A FRIEND TO QUIT SMOKING WITH YOU. TELL 3 FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS OF YOUR COMMITMENT TO QUIT. REMOVE CIGARETTES FROM YOUR HOME ENTIRELY. MAKE A RULE THAT NO ONE ELSE IS ALLOWED TO CONSUME TOBACCO IN YOUR HOUSE. JOIN A SUPPORT GROUP IN YOUR AREA FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO QUIT SMOKING. CULTIVATE HOBBIES WHERE SMOKING IS NOT ALLOWED. PLAN FOR WHAT YOU WILL DO WHEN YOU FEEL THE URGE TO SMOKE.

RISKS OF DRINKING ALCOHOL LIVING WITH DIABETES ALCOHOL CAN CAUSE HYPOGLYCEMIA SHORTLY AFTER DRINKING AND UP TO 24 HOURS AFTER DRINKING. CHECK YOUR BLOOD GLUCOSE BEFORE YOU DRINK, WHILE YOU DRINK, AND FOR UP TO 24 HOURS. CHECK YOUR BLOOD GLUCOSE BEFORE YOU GO TO BED TO MAKE SURE IT IS AT A SAFE LEVEL: BETWEEN 100-140 MG/DL. IF IT IS LOW, EAT SOMETHING TO RAISE IT – THE SYMPTOMS OF TOO MUCH ALCOHOL & HYPOGLYCEMIA CAN BE SIMILAR. SLEEPINESS, DIZZINESS, DISORIENTATION IF HYPOGLYCEMIA IS CONFUSED FOR DRUNKENNESS, YOU MAY NOT GET THE PROPER ASSISTANCE & TREATMENT. THE BEST WAY TO GET HELP IF YOU ARE HYPOGLYCEMIC IS TO ALWAYS WEAR AN I.D. THAT SAYS “I HAVE DIABETES.”

TIPS TO SIP BY DO NOT DRINK ON AN EMPTY STOMACH OR WHEN YOUR BLOOD GLUCOSE IS LOW. DO NOT OMIT FOOD FROM YOUR REGULAR MEAL PLAN AND REPLACE IT WITH ALCOHOL. SIP YOUR DRINK SLOWLY. STAY HYDRATED, SLOW YOUR PACE WITH A ZERO-CALORIE BEVERAGE LIKE WATER, DIET SODA, OR ICED TEA. DO NOT DRIVE OR PLAN TO DRIVE FOR SEVERAL HOURS AFTER YOU DRINK ALCOHOL.