Managing Diabetes While Travelling

Source: www.diabetes24-7.com 

With proper planning and regular consultation with a diabetologist, there is no problem traveling with diabetes. The things you need to think about and plan for include the following:

• Managing diabetes supplies

• Diabetes management during your flight

• Adjusting insulin for time changes

• Managing diabetes complications

• Avoiding or treating traveler's illnesses, especially gastroenteritis.

Take adequate supplies for your diabetes management when you travel. In fact, take twice the amount of diabetes medication and supplies that you will normally need. If you are on an insulin pump take some basal insulin such as insulin glargine and syringes in case you have a pump failure. Keep the insulin cool by packing it in an insulated bag with refrigerated gel packs. Stay in touch with your diabetologist in Noida if anything goes unexpected on the flight.

Also take glucose tablets, gels, and snacks for treatment of hypoglycemia and a glucagon kit and ketone testing strips. Ideally, take two glucose meters and pack them in separate bags. Keep most of your supplies in your carry-on luggage, but keep some supplies in your checked luggage, just in case you lose your carry-on luggage.

Managing Diabetes on the Airplane

If food will not be served on your flight, take food and fast-acting carbohydrate with you. If it is a long flight with a meal (and keep in mind that in-flight meals are rare these days), it is not necessary to order a special meal on the plane, but it is a good idea to have some food with you (two to three snacks) in case the meal is delayed. Inject your insulin dose after your meal arrives. Since the pressure in an airplane is different than the pressure on the ground, do not inject air into the vial before drawing up your insulin into the syringe. Check your blood glucose frequently during the flight. You may need a little more insulin because you are inactive. If you are traveling alone and are concerned that you might experience hypoglycemia, tell the flight attendants that you have diabetes so they can keep an eye on you.

Drink plenty of fluids during the flight. Wear loose-fitting shoes because your feet might swell, and walk around the airplane when possible and do some leg stretching exercises to avoid blood clots.