People with diabetes must take extra precautions while traveling. According to an article in USA Today, travelers with diabetes should keep the following tips in mind while traveling during the holiday season:
Be extra vigilant. When you change your regular routine, it takes extra effort and care to keep on top of glucose management. Take care to watch your dietary intake and keep your medication schedule on track.
Adjust for time zones. Traveling across time zones can confuse people when calculating when to check blood glucose levels or take medication. Experts advise gradually adjusting your insulin schedule starting a few days prior to travel. You also can ask your treating clinician to create a new schedule for you.
Pack extra medication. Calculate how much medicine and glucose testing supplies you'll need during your trip. Pack twice as much if you are traveling domestically or to Europe. Take three to four times as much as you think you'll need if you're traveling to remote locations where medical supplies are not readily available.
Split up your supplies. Pack at least one set of medicine and supplies in your carry-on bag. Be sure to keep the bag with you so that you have medication at all times. Checked luggage can get lost or delayed, so it's best to split your diabetes supplies in multiple bags.
Take a letter. Always travel with a letter and prescription from your treating clinician to head off delays or confiscation of your medication and supplies. A letter should document your diagnosis, medications required, treatment plan and frequency, and necessary supplies.
Get up and move. People at diabetes are prone to blood clots, and sitting for long periods of time can increase the risk of this potentially life-threatening condition. Be sure to stretch your legs or take a walk every hour to help prevent blood clots from forming.
Check your pump. Insulin pumps can deliver too much insulin when an airplane is ascending due to changes in cabin pressure, according to the USA Today article. People using these pumps may want to disconnect the device before take off. They should also check the insulin for air bubbles after disembarking.
Always check with your treating clinician before making any changes to your diabetes management.
Source: USA Today
Follow BattleDiabetes.com on: