Loading ...Casey Johnson’s Death is a Wake-Up Call
With the sudden death of celebrities such as Casey Johnson and Brittany Murphy serious questions about diabetes and its risks are arising.
“When I read another story about a young diabetic person dying, it disheartens me because as a diabetologist I know it didn’t have to end that way,” said Dr. David Kayne, diabetologist and advisory board member of KeyVive.com.
Johnson, heir to the Johnson & Johnson fortune was pronounced dead yesterday at the age of 30. Diagnosed at the age of eight, Johnson had type 1 diabetes. TMZ.com reported that she had two instances of diabetic comas and spent time in the hospital for treatment. She had also been a fixture on the party scene and has had past issues with drugs and alcohol.
“Interestingly, the effect of alcohol on the diabetic is that it really is a crapshoot concerning which way the blood sugar will go,” says Kayne.
Diabetes and excessive alcohol consumption don’t mix. In fact, extreme drinking can have fatal repercussions for people with diabetes. Individuals with this chronic disease can drink alcohol, but must do so carefully.
“Ethanol itself can lead to low blood sugars because it can block the liver’s ability to increase the blood sugar in a time of need. On the other hand, the sugar in alcoholic beverages, particularly in beer and wine, can make the blood sugar rise. The most dangerous problem for those who drink to the point of intoxication is that they may lose consciousness, ignore their blood sugar, and have a severe hypoglycemic reaction, which can lead to seizures and death,” Kayne points out.
Striking a constant balance between glucose and insulin in the blood is always the goal. Darin J. Larson, CHES, health program specialist from Diabetes Prevention and Control Program, Utah Department of Health says to “Have regular visits with a certified diabetes educator or registered dietitian and create a plan that will work.”
Tips for Sipping
As a diabetic, if you want to consume alcohol, there are certain guidelines that you must follow. According to Larson, when drinking alcohol:
- Consult with your doctor before you drink.
- Only consume alcohol if your blood sugar levels are well controlled.
- Stick to a two drink maximum for men and a one drink maximum for women per day.
- Drink alcohol with a snack or a meal. Never drink on an empty stomach.
- Opt for diet soda or other calorie-free drink mixers.
- Wear a medical alert stating that you have diabetes.
- Check your blood sugar level before, during and after you drink to make sure you are not too high or too low.
- Never drive or plan to drive after consuming alcohol.
Risks Factors
Because alcohol slows or stops your liver from releasing glucose, you run the risk of low blood sugar levels when you drink. If your blood sugar drops too dangerously low you can become hypoglycemic. Hypoglycemic symptoms include weakness, shaking, sweating, confusion, heart palpitations, drowsiness and even a coma state otherwise known as a diabetic coma. “This hypoglycemia can occur shortly after alcohol consumption or up to 12 hours later,” Larson says.
If you think you might have diabetes, take the KeyVive risk test at www.keyvive.com.
By Raechel Conover
