Hypoglycemia: What's the Significance of a Diabetic Feeling Drunk?

The downside of really successful blood sugar control for most diabetics, especially type I diabetics, is the risk of hypoglycemia, sporadic low blood sugars that cause a variety of symptoms. A diabetic feeling drunk without even drinking is a red flag for potentially life-threatening hypoglycemia that requires immediate consumption of glucose.

Blood sugar goes up and down with medication, even the best medications. Blood sugars that run too low can be due to any one or more of a number of causes:

• A sudden change from cool to warm weather, or traveling from a cold climate to a warm climate, or staying in an unusually warm room overnight.


• Taking an unusually large amount of aspirin or allergy medication.


• Drinking too much alcohol, especially before or during a meal.


• Eating less than planned.


• Taking too much insulin.


• Taking insulin injections too close together.


• Switching from an insulin pump to insulin injections without lowering the dose.


• Taking too much diabetes medication.


• Exercising too long without consumption of carbohydrate.


• Recovery from an illness, such as a cold or flu, that caused temporarily higher insulin resistance.


• Delayed digestion, which may be caused by eating an unusually low-glycemic index meal or a chronic condition called gastroparesis.

Most diabetics learn to recognize a specific feeling of a hypoglycemic episode setting in. Hunger is by far the most common symptom--but hunger is also a sign than cells aren't getting the glucose they need when blood sugars are too high. A diabetic feeling drunk may be in the midst of a hypoglycemic episode when other symptoms include these symptoms of low blood sugar levels?

• Confusion.


• Clumsiness.


• Irritability or uncharacteristic nastiness.


• Inappropriate laughter or joking, especially when drinking before a meal.


• Anxiety.


• Lightheadedness.


• Tiredness.


• Weakness.


• Shouting for no apparent reason.


• Waking up from sleep suddenly.


• Talking or shouting in sleep.


• Visual impairment, including hallucinations, seeingspots, double vision, and blurred vision.


• Lesser ability to taste sweet foods (this is very temporary).


• Cold, clammy skin, especially on the back of the neck.


• Shallow breathing.

A combination of these symptoms with a diabetic feeling drunk is a good indicator of a hypoglycemic episode, but the way to know for sure is a finger stick for a reading with a glucometer.

And when there is hypoglycemia, it's important not to overcorrect. Even if you weigh 400 pounds (180 kilos), just 15 grams of glucose (that's half an ounce or 3 to 5 glucose tablets) is enough to stop an emergency.

Pure glucose is what your body needs and it's the best remedy for hypoglycemia. If you don't have glucose, a sugary (not diet) soft drink (half a can is enough) or a half a cup (120 ml) of juice usually does the trick. Just remember that alcohol and low blood sugars together are a real whammy for diabetics, and blood sugar testing with a glucometer always tells you for sure whether hypoglycemia is really the problem.