If you are using insulin to manage your diabetes, there are a number of other challenges to face when traveling in addition to the stress.
However, none of these obstacles to travel should interfere with visiting friends and family, seeing new places, or enjoying the trip. The poet Robert Louis Stevenson wrote, “I don’t travel to get to a place, I travel to enjoy it.”
So even if you’re on insulin, don’t worry, get out there and see the world.
However, before you step away and get out there, keep these precautions in mind.
Know what you need to bring before you travel
“Think ahead and be prepared.” Kellie Antinori-Lent, a nurse at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside, said, “There are many times when patients call me and say, ‘Oh, I’m going on a trip tomorrow, but I don’t have this, or I don’t have that.’ It’s a real handful at that point …… which can put patients at risk. So it’s important to be prepared before you travel.”
Here are a few steps to take.
Know what items to bring when dealing with your diabetes, such as insulin, glucose capsules, glucose tablets, a blood glucose monitor, blood glucose test strips, syringes, and an insulin pen. If using an insulin pump, bring an extra battery. Patients should know how they can keep their blood glucose at the normal level it should be.
Bring extra medicine
Even for short trips, bring extra diabetes supplies. What should I do if my flight is delayed? What if your luggage is lost? And what if a car tire blows? “We always tell people to bring twice as many supplies as they think they need, and that’s very important,” said Pamela Allweiss, medical officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “I’m talking about insulin, pills, supplies or blood glucose test strips and so on. It’s best to carry the same type of insulin that you normally use.”
Keeping all your diabetes supplies together
Keep all your diabetes supplies together, and if you need to have an occasional granola bar or peanut butter cookie to keep your blood sugar up, keep them in the same place as your other diabetes supplies.
Carry them with you, and don’t put your diabetes supplies in the trunk of your car, where the temperature may affect the effectiveness of the medication. “Carrying a handbag with the supplies you need instantly is one of the most important things you can do.” (Allweiss) said. If you are flying, do not put your diabetes supplies in your checked baggage. Take them on board in your own separate bag or carry them with you. Don’t put it in the overhead bin in the cabin in case you need it in an emergency.
Tell airport security what you are carrying
For carry-on instructions, tell airport security what you are carrying and let them check it themselves. If you are using insulin pumps and want them to go through the metal detector, open the box and let security check it.
Testing
Changes in time zones, different foods, how much you eat, eating at different times of the day, only snacking when you don’t have a regular meal, changes in exercise habits (good or bad), lack of sleep, all of these can affect blood glucose levels.
So, don’t just rely on how I feel. A blood glucose monitor should be kept nearby and tested frequently.
It may be necessary to adjust the timing, frequency, and perhaps even the type of insulin used. But before doing so, it’s best to talk to your doctor or diabetes educator.
Take care of yourself
Anyone with diabetes knows it’s important to take care of their feet. So wear sandals or sneakers even at the beach, and never go barefoot. If you have swollen feet (which sometimes, especially during flights, can happen), consider wearing compression socks. Move your ankles and straighten your toes, this will help. Check for blisters or other wounds on your feet after standing for a long time.
You can also exercise when you’re out and about. You need to rest after a long day. Sometimes vacations can be exhausting, so listen to your body and take it easy.
Finally, avoid eating too much or drinking too much alcohol.
Final points
Bring a doctor’s note and a written prescription for insulin or other medications in case you need more during your trip, and ideally make sure all labels are the original labels.
Ask the manufacturer of the insulin pump if they have a backup. Some providers will provide an extra insulin pump for customers who are traveling.
If traveling to a country with a different language, learn how to say key phrases like “I am diabetic,” “sugar,” and “orange juice, please.
If you want to eat on the plane, don’t expect it to fit into your normal diet unless you contact the airline ahead of time to get a meal for people with diabetes.
Introduce yourself to the flight attendant. If you need some snacks to handle a drop in blood sugar levels during the flight, the flight crew can often provide juice or some other help.
If you must use insulin on the plane, be careful. The pressurized chamber may affect the air in the syringe; make sure it is free of air bubbles before injecting.
Find several diabetes doctors where you are traveling. If you are traveling abroad, make sure they speak the same language as you do, if possible.