How Alochol Effects on Blood Sugars & Blood Pressure

February’s musical inspiration Dean Martin was a loveable drunk with dark good looks, hilarious one-liners, and an ever-present rocks glass.  

Like a walking, talking advertisement for ‘happy hour,’ Dean Martin is inspiring a discussion about the effects of alcohol on blood sugar levels and blood pressure on Divabetic’s February podcast scheduled for Tuesday, February 8, 2022, 6 PM, EST. 

Although his family has denied his alcohol consumption, his on-stage demeanor was just the opposite. He was a one-man cocktail party, and all of the United States was invited to join in the fun. And during his heyday in the 1950s and ’60s, it sometimes seemed as though everyone did. But, of course, those words might not be any more accurate than today during these unprecedented times. 

A new survey suggests that since the COVID outbreak in the U.S., nearly 1 in 5 Americans have been consuming an unhealthy amount of alcohol.

“Heavy drinking” was defined as having had two heavy drinking days in a single week at least twice in the previous 30 days. A “heavy drinking day” was defined as four or more drinks containing alcohol for women and five or more drinks containing alcohol for men.

Alcohol consumption rose among adults over age 30 by 14% during the pandemic, with a 41% increase in women heavily drinking, according to a September 2020 RAND Corporation study. The strain continues to take a toll on those already coping with addictions, spiking relapse, and overdose rates.

While moderate amounts of alcohol may cause blood sugar levels to rise, excess alcohol can actually decrease your blood sugar levels reports WebMD.

Alcohol can raise blood pressure to unhealthy levels. Having more than 3 drinks at a time can temporarily raise your blood pressure. But repeated binge drinking can lead to long-term increases

February’s musical inspiration Dean Martin was a loveable drunk with dark good looks, hilarious one-liners, and an ever-present rocks glass.

Like a walking, talking advertisement for ‘happy hour,’ Dean Martin is inspiring a discussion about the effects of alcohol on blood sugar levels and blood pressure on Divabetic’s February podcast.

Although his family has denied his alcohol consumption, his on-stage demeanor was just the opposite. He was a one-man cocktail party, and all of the United States was invited to join in the fun. And during his heyday in the 1950s and ’60s, it sometimes seemed as though everyone did. But, of course, those words might not be any more accurate than today during these unprecedented times.

A new survey suggests that since the COVID outbreak in the U.S., nearly 1 in 5 Americans have been consuming an unhealthy amount of alcohol.

“Heavy drinking” was defined as having had two heavy drinking days in a single week at least twice in the previous 30 days. A “heavy drinking day” was defined as four or more drinks containing alcohol for women and five or more drinks containing alcohol for men.

Alcohol consumption rose among adults over age 30 by 14% during the pandemic, with a 41% increase in women heavily drinking, according to a September 2020 RAND Corporation study. The strain continues to take a toll on those already coping with addictions, spiking relapse, and overdose rates.

While moderate amounts of alcohol may cause blood sugar levels to rise, excess alcohol can actually decrease your blood sugar levels reports WebMD.

Alcohol can raise blood pressure to unhealthy levels. Having more than 3 drinks at a time can temporarily raise your blood pressure. But repeated binge drinking can lead to long-term increases.

 

We’re talking about 50 years with type 1 diabetes, alcohol’s effects on blood sugars, and the Spare A Rose campaign with musical inspiration from Dean Martin. February podcast guests: Fran Carpentier, Mama Rose Marie, and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDCES. Throughout this podcast, we will be featuring music from The Essential Dean Martin album courtesy of SONY Music.

Diabetes Podcast Week 2019

Divabetic is proud to participate in the 4th year of Diabetes Podcast Week (startingFebruary 10) in support of theSpare a Rose. Save A Rose’ campaign, to benefit Life for a Child.

Organizer Stacey Simms explains she got the idea after seeing an article about diabetes podcasts in the news site, Diabetes Mine in the summer of 2015.  “I had just launched Diabetes Connections and I didn’t realize how many other D-podcasts there were,” she explains. “I started thinking about what we could do together to help the greater community.”

Spare a Rose – Save a Child (PRNewsFoto/Partnering for Diabetes Change ()

The idea behind Spare a Rose, Save a Child is simple: buy one less rose this Valentine’s Day and donate the value of that flower to children with diabetes. Donations go to Life for a Child, an International Diabetes Federation program which provides life-saving diabetes supplies, medication, and education that children in developing countries need to stay alive.

.For the first time, #DPodcast Week includes a Spanish-language podcast and one hosted by diabetes dads. The list also includes shows about sports, nutrition, general news and lots of great personal stories for people with diabetes. “There are new diabetes podcasts popping up all the time so I’m sure we’ve missed a few,” says Stacey Simms, who encourages other shows to reach out.

“I have so much respect and appreciation for everything that Stacey Simms does on behalf of the diabetes community,” says Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek. “My Diabetes Late Nite team is proud to particapte in #DPodcastWeek again this year! We’re encouraging all our listeners to take a page from Barbra Streisand‘s handbook and tell their significant others not to bring them flowers for Valentine’s Day but instead donate to a wonderful cause!”

Don’t miss February’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast in support of the ‘Spare A Rose, Save A Child’ campaign on Tuesday, February 12, 2019, 6 – 7:30 PM, EST.  We’re talking about ‘SELF ACCEPTANCE & DIABETES’ with musical inspiration from Country Superstar, Dolly Parton. Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Dr.Beverly S. Adler PhD, CDE, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, Catherine Schuller AICI, CIP,  Lisa R Young, PhD, RDN and more. Enjoy selected songs from Dolly Parton’s new album Dumplin’ Original Motion Picture Soundtrack courtesy of SONY Music.  TUNE IN

‘Couples & Diabetes’ with Janis Roszler, LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND

We’re talking about ‘COUPLES  & DIABETES’ on February’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast on Tuesday, February, 13, 2018. 6 – 7:30 PM, EST.

How we deal with the pressures of diabetes can make a real difference to the relationships we have with others including friends, family, work colleagues or one off acquaintances.

I reached out to my friend, and colleague, Janis Roszler, LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND, who is  a Certified Diabetes Educator and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist for her advice on the subject in an exclusive interview for the Divabetic community.  

Q: What are the common do’s and don’ts for engaging your spouse in your diabetes care?

Janis Roszler (JR): Ask, don’t assume.  Ask your partner if they would like your help.    If they say yes, ask what they would like you to do. 

(JR): Learn about diabetes.  The more you know, the more comfortable you are likely to feel.  For example, your partner’s occasional high blood sugar level is not a problem. Complications develop when blood sugar levels remains high for an extended period of time.

(JR): Don’t be offended if your partner turns down your offer to help.  Many people prefer to do certain tasks themselves. 

(JR): Don’t enter the “parent trap.”  You don’t want to turn into your partner’s nagging mother or father! Calmly share your concerns then ask how you can help. 

Q: What is helpful and not helpful in their interactions with each other?

(JR): Watch your non-verbal communication.  Rolling your eyes or turning away communicates a negative message as clearly as yelling.  When you speak to your partner, turn your body towards them, employ good eye contact and listen to what they say.  Don’t think about your response while they are speaking.  Good listening communicates heartfelt concern.

Q: What advice can you give spouses/partners who argue about diabetes?

(JR): Most couples fight.  The trick is to fight fair and repair hurt feelings at the end of the argument.  Here are some rules for fighting fair:

Make an appointment to discuss the issue.  Find a time when you both aren’t distracted.

Stay on topic.  If you are upset about a certain problem, don’t bring up other issues that also bother you.

Don’t bring up the past.  Avoid phrases like “you always…” or “you never…”  They make people feel attacked.

Focus on the problem, not the person.  Don’t call your partner stupid, forgetful or any other negative term.  That can cause hurt feelings and prompt your partner to attack you back. The problem is the issue, not your partner.

If things get heated, take a break. When people feel angry or attacked, they stop listening. They also have a harder time feeling compassion. If things get out of hand, take a break. Set a time to resume the discussion.

End in a supportive way. After the fight, try to connect in a loving way.  Hug, laugh, go for a walk, etc.  Invest in your relationship.

Q: What advice can you give to spouses/partners of people with diabetes who don’t want to manage their diabetes?

(JR): You can’t control another person’s behavior.  Let your partner know that you are there for them, but try not to nag or guilt them into changing their behavior.  It will only stress your relationship. It is hard to watch someone ignore or mismanage their health.  If watching them becomes too overwhelming, meet with a therapist who can help you deal with the situation.

Q: What advice can you give to spouses who may be afraid that their partners will develop diabetes health-related complications?

(JR): The good news is that people who manage their diabetes well dramatically reduce their risk of complications.  Discuss how you can support their efforts to stay healthy.  If they are open to it, join them at a diabetes class or appointment with their health provider, so you can learn what they need and how you may be able to help.

Q: Hypoglycemia is upsetting, both for people with diabetes and their partners. Both get scared, both get frustrated, and both can get angry, at each other and at the diabetes. What advice can you offer on this subject?

(JR): Create a diabetes emergency plan before a problem develops.  Which snacks should be in the house?  What should you say if you think your partner’s blood sugar is dropping? If your partner wears a pump and has an unexpected blood sugar swing, what should you do?  Etc. If you have unanswered questions, join your loved one at an upcoming appointment with their healthcare provider and ask what they suggest. 

Q:  Many people use glucose monitoring devices that can share data. Are there any guidelines for partners who monitor their spouse’s blood sugar data on their iPhones, etc.?

(JR): Some people feel great comfort knowing that their partner is watching their blood sugar level.  Others prefer to keep these results private.  Ask how your partner feels about sharing this information.  If you see that their blood sugar level is going out of range, how would they like you to communicate this information?  When should you tell them?  This is all very personal and should be discussed before the situation arises.

Q:  Divabetic is honored to  participate in Diabetes Podcast Week  to raise awareness for the ‘Spare a Rose, Save A Child’ campaign. This a wonderful cause encourages people to take the typical “dozen roses,” so popular on Valentine’s Day, and donate the value of one rose to help save the life of a child living with diabetes in developing countries. (The International Diabetes Foundation estimates that there almost 500,000 children under 15 years with type 1 diabetes. Lack of access to insulin remains a common cause of death in a child with diabetes.) Make your donation tonight by visiting the International Diabetes Federation (idf.org).

In the spirit of Diabetes Podcast Week, I’d like to ask you what some guidelines are for creating boundaries between parents and children with diabetes?

(JR): Visit the Children with Diabetes organization (childrenwithdiabetes.com).  They run wonderful programs and offer online support for parents of children who have diabetes. Learn how other parents handle boundary issues.  If your child is ready, encourage them to gradually start to do age appropriate self-care tasks, so they can become more independent.  Let them know that they can come to you if any task doesn’t go as planned. 

Janis Roszler, LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND is a registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, and insulin pump trainer. She is the author of several books as well as the popular Dear Janis column in Diabetes Positive! Magazine and contributes to Diabetes Health, Diabetes Forecast, Diabetes Interview, and Diabetes Self-Management . She is also a speaker on diabetes-related topics and has appeared on numerous radio programs and Internet webcasts.

 

 

 

The Secrets of Living and Loving with Diabetes helps readers gain control of their diabetes and reach a new level of confidence in their relationships.

In this book, three experts deliver advice on issues such as handling nagging friends and relatives, injecting insulin discreetly while dining out, bringing up the subject of blood sugar highs and lows before turning out the bedroom lights, and avoiding diabetes urgencies becoming emergencies. Also included are practical tools like exercises, quizzes, questions, checklists, and coping strategies.

One of Janis Roszler’s other books, Sex & Diabetes is the first book ever to deal exclusively with sexual problems as they relate to diabetes— and the only book to discuss issues that relate to both men and women.

It also shows you how sexual problems can be prevented or delayed and discusses treatments options that currently exist. Sex & Diabetes highlights the value of communication between sexual partners and the importance of having an open relationship with healthcare professionals.

TUNE IN: Diabetes Late Nite inspired by Faith Hill & Tim McGraw on Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 6 PM, EST. Throughout this podcast we will be playing selected songs from Tim McGraw & Faith Hill’s ‘Rest Of Our Lives’ album courtesy of SONY Music. Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Jaye O’Grey, Janis Roszler LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND, and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach featuring Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE.

February’s Diabetes Late Nite focuses on Spouses

We’re talking about ‘People living with Diabetes and their Spouses’ with musical inspiration from Country Music superstars, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill on Diabetes Late Nite scheduled for  Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 6 – 7:30 PM, EST.

When you are married or in a committed relationship, the most important source of support is usually your spouse or partner. However, the marital relationship can also be the greatest source of conflict and stress.

Make sure that your partner feels in control of their diabetes, but remind them that you are there to help in any way you can.

Faith Hill has won five Grammy Awards and multiple Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards, People’s Choice Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards and Country Music Association Awards. She has consistently broken chart records with her #1 singles and has had major crossover success with the hits “This Kiss,” “Breathe,” “The Way You Love Me,” “Cry” and “There You’ll Be.” She has sold over 30 million records with only seven original studio albums, with multiple albums topping both the Billboard Top 100 and Country charts simultaneously.

Tim McGraw has sold more than 50 million records worldwide and dominated the singles charts with a stunning 43 #1 singles. His recent multi-week #1 single “Humble and Kind” won the Grammy for Best Country song, spawned a New York Times Best Seller book and won a coveted Clio Award for Best Integrated Campaign. McGraw recently starred in and narrated the hit movie “The Shack,” to add to such other film credits as “Friday Night Lights” and “The Blind Side.”

Faith Hill and Tim McGraw’s Soul2Soul The World Tour 2017 kicked off its 80-date North American run in New Orleans in April 2017. The tour celebrates the 10th anniversary of the record-breaking “Soul2Soul II” tour in 2006 and 2007, the highest-grossing U.S. multi-year country music tour of all time. They began touring together on McGraw’s Spontaneous Combustion tour in 1996.

Throughout this podcast we will be playing selected songs from Tim McGraw & Faith Hill’s ‘Rest Of Our Life’ album courtesy of SONY Music.

‘Rest Of Our Life’ is described as a cozy, inoffensive depiction of an American marriage, with tender ballads and handsome up-tempo numbers preaching the gospel of devotion by Mikael Wood for the Los Angeles Times.

Guests include Poet Lorraine Brooks, Jaye O’Grey, Janis Roszler, LMFT, RD, LD/N, CDE, FAND  and the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach featuring Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE.

This podcast is part of Diabetes Podcast Week to help raise awareness and funds for the International Diabetes Federation’s Spare A Rose, Life for A Child campaign. We’re encouraging you to buy one fewer rose for Valentine’s Day and instead donate the value of that flower to help children with diabetes have access to insulin and testing equipment. Donate now at: lifeforachildusa.org/sparearose

Diabetes Late Nite is a fast-paced, full-filled hour and half of diabetes education, wellness advice, poetry, games and music that encourages listeners to “laugh a little, learn a lot.”

Be An Instant Winner on February’s Diabetes Late Nite

Be an INSTANT WINNER on February’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast. Correct answers to the question above will be entered into our random drawing to win a Divabetic Prize Package courtesy of Nu Naturals, Dr. Greenfield’s Diabetes Hand, Body & Foot Creams and Cabot Cheese. We will announce our winner on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6 PM, EST. E-mail your answer to mrdivabetic@gmail.com.

Many people are not aware of the close connection between diabetes and heart disease, but heart disease is actually one of the most common complications of diabetes. It’s so common that having diabetes actually doubles your risk for heart attack or stroke.

The question is – what can you do about it?

To start, you should work with your doctor to monitor your ABC’s (A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels) and keep them in your target range. Your physician can help you set target ranges for your A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol that will work for you. Making healthy lifestyle choices is essential to reach and stay in those target ranges.

If you have diabetes, you should try to keep your sodium intake to less than 2300 mg per day. If you have diabetes and high blood pressure (hypertension), you should aim for 1500 mg per day or less.

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic and the Diabetes Late Nite team are honored to participate in the Second Diabetes Podcast Week in support of the Spare a Rose, Save a Child campaign” on February’s Diabetes Late Nite podcast scheduled for Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6 PM, EST.

“I’m thrilled to support such a worthwhile cause by participating in Diabetes Podcast Week again this year, ” says Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek.”We’ve got a really wonderful show planned featuring guests Chef Ward Alper ‘The Decadent Diabetic’ and Diabetes Advocate and ‘Rich In Love’ fashion blogger, model and diabetes advocate Doris Hobbs along with many of George Michael’s greatest hits.”

The “Spare a Rose, Save a Child” campaign encourages people to buy one less rose this Valentine’s Day and donate the value of that flower to children with diabetes. Donations go to Life for a Child, an International Diabetes Federation program which provides life-saving diabetes supplies, medication, and education that children in developing countries need to stay alive.

Don’t miss Diabetes Late Nite inspired by George Michael on Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 6-7 PM, EST. Enjoy our first-ever Valentine’s Day Party featuring Chef Ward Alper aka ‘The Decadent Diabetic’, ‘Rich In Love’ fashion blogger Doris Hobbs, the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Poet Lorraine Brooks and Mama Rose Marie

Learning to accept yourself for who you are is the most important step to self-love. Stop comparing yourself to others and learn to embrace the person you are.