Travel Planning:
Traveling to new places takes a person out of the daily routine and this is a great part of the fun However, travel can cause poorly controlled diabetes due to late meals, eating unusual food, being more physically active than usual, and being in different time zones, all of which can hinder diabetes management.
But with good planning this can be avoided.
Before you travel:
- Visit the doctor for an examination to ensure that the person is fit for the trip.
- Identify with the doctor activities that affect diabetes and act appropriately.
- Determine with the doctor how to adjust insulin doses when traveling to places in a different time zone.
- Providing prescriptions for medicines in case it is lost or runs out.
- Determining the need for any vaccines according to the patient's destination.
- Place a medical ID bracelet showing that the person has diabetes.
- Pre-order a special meal for the trip that matches the special meal plan.
- Place diabetes supplies in a handbag, glucose tablets and snacks.
- Taking twice as much medicine as the patient thinks he/she will need.
- Carrying medicines in the original pharmacy bottles.
- Taking disposable wet wipes, so the patient can clean their hands before checking their blood glucose.
- Ensure healthy snacks (e.g., raw fruit, vegetables, nuts).
While traveling:
- When driving, take a cooler with healthy foods and plenty of water to drink.
- Do not store insulin or diabetes medications in direct sunlight or in a hot car, and keep them in the cooler, avoiding putting insulin directly on ice.
- Heat can damage your blood glucose monitor, insulin pump, and other diabetes equipment so don't leave them in a hot car or in direct sunlight.
- Healthy food options can be found at the airport or in a roadside restaurant (ex: fruits, nuts, sandwiches, yogurt, salads with chicken or fish, or burgers with lettuce rolls instead of bread).
- Stop and exit the car to walk or get up and down the aisle of the plane or train every hour or two to prevent blood clots.
- Set the alarm on the phone to take the medicine.
When you arrive:
- Once you reach the destination, your blood glucose may initially be out of target range, but your body should adjust within a few days.
- blood glucose level should be checked frequently and treated for highs or lows as directed by your doctor.
- When the patient is more active than usual, blood glucose should be checked before and after and food, activity and insulin adjusted as needed.
- Food is one of the most important attractions while traveling so avoid the buffet, instead order from a healthy menu, a low-carb menu, or order any meal that fits your planned meal target.
- Do not over-activate Physical activity during the day heat to avoid sunburn.
- Avoid walking without shoes even on the beach.
- High temperatures can change the way your body uses insulin, so you may need to check your blood glucose more frequently and adjust your insulin dose.
Diabetes can make everyday life and travel more difficult, but it shouldn't hinder the enjoyment of time. Planning increases the ability to relax and enjoy all the exciting experiences of the trip.