Expert tips: Celebrating with diabetes – but safely

More than 30,000 people live in Germany Children and young people with Type 1 diabetes . When they reach the age where parties and As alcohol becomes more important, they must pay particular attention to their metabolism to avoid complications.

"Many young people with diabetes are unsure about their condition because they don't know how to deal with potential complications in nightlife or at festivals," says Yvonne Häusler, board member of the VDBD and diabetes counselor at the DRK Kliniken Berlin. They often don't find a suitable contact person in medical consultations or at home, or they are hesitant to proactively address these issues. "Diabetes counseling is a safe environment in which young people can open up," adds Gülcan Celen, also a diabetes counselor at the DRK Kliniken Berlin and a VDBD member.

In diabetics, alcohol can lead to severe fluctuations in blood sugar levels – depending on the drink and the amount consumed, blood sugar levels can either rise significantly or fall dangerously. Alcohol is particularly risky when combined with insulin or oral antidiabetic medication. Since alcohol inhibits the release of stored sugar from the bloodstream, liver , there is a risk of hypoglycemia. Furthermore, physical activity – such as dancing late into the night – and little Sleep increases the risk of hypoglycemia. At the same time, many alcoholic beverages contain Drinks large quantities Sugar . The VDBD advises: consume alcohol in moderation, always combine it with a meal, and check your glucose levels regularly.

Good preparation protects: Before an event, people with diabetes should set their blood sugar to a slightly elevated target level, around 150 to 180 mg/dl, and check it regularly. "The risk of dangerous metabolic disorders is particularly high for young people who have little experience managing their diabetes," says Häusler. She therefore advises always bringing an "emergency kit" to a party. It should contain fast-acting carbohydrates such as glucose or fruit juice, ideally a glucagon emergency kit, and information about the disease—for example, in the form of a wristband or an emergency card on your cell phone.

But be careful: The glucagon emergency kit is not reliably effective under the influence of alcohol, warns the VDBD, because the liver cannot efficiently release its sugar reserves under the influence of alcohol, despite glucagon intake. In such cases, emergency services should be alerted as soon as possible, the association advises. Family members and those around the patient should be informed of this limitation in order to respond appropriately.