Travelling With Diabetes: Tips For A Memorable Journey

Travelling with diabetes may seem like a daunting task. Diabetic patients have to undergo a certain medical routine every day in order to keep a check on their blood sugar levels. With so many routines to follow and medications to take among many other essential tasks, it becomes nearly impossible to plan a memorable trip for diabetics. However, if you plan things well in advance and ensure that all the essentials are taken care of, you too can enjoy a relaxing getaway. Here are some travelling tips for diabetics.

What Affects Diabetes The Most During Travelling?

• Changed temperature and atmosphere
• Change in the food culture and dietary regulations
• Physical exertion and activities

Prior-Planning Tips for Travelling with Diabetes:

Consult your doctor and get a medical certificate. You might need it to show at the airport security as well as in case of a medical emergency.

Ask your doctor to write all your prescriptions. Keep it handy in your carry-on at all times. In case of a medical emergency or medicines being lost, this prescription will be extremely useful.

Understand how your diabetes is managed and the allergies you have. Your health is in your hands while you are travelling. You must know everything about it.

Be aware of the temperature and the atmosphere of the area you are going to visit. Ask your doctor for the insulin and medicine prescription accordingly. Also research in advance, the food culture of the place, so you may carry sufficient food accordingly.

Locate and note down pharmacies and hospitals near your hotel.

Packing Tips For Diabetic Travellers:

When you are travelling with diabetes, it is better to be over-packed than under-packed. Pack twice the amount of medicines you are going to need in your journey. Divide the medicines into two parts and always keep them in your carry-on.

Always pack a first-aid kit with you, and don’t forget to pack medicines for other health problems such as vomiting, diarrhoea, motion sickness, etc.

You must carry your blood sugar measuring kit with you. You will be required to check your blood glucose level at regular intervals to manage your blood sugar levels.

Carry fruit juices and glucose tablets or powders in your carry on when you go site seeing. In case your blood sugar level drops, you can control it instantly with these resources. Carrying light food items or snacks is wise as you never know where you may or may not find a food stall.

Depending on the food culture of the place you are visiting, you are advised to carry packaged food accordingly. Indian dry snacks, dry fruits and nuts come in handy while travelling.

Keep a gel pack to chill your insulin. You cannot expose your insulin to hot or freezing temperatures. Never use ice packs to chill your insulin.

Travel Tips For Diabetic Travellers:

Wear comfortable footwear all the time. Keep looking for blisters or cuts in your foot. In case of any infection or inflammation, consult a doctor immediately.

Keep checking your blood sugar level at regular intervals. It may vary a lot during the first few days but will soon adjust itself to the temperature and the atmosphere of the place. Till then, take the prescription as recommended by your doctor for varying levels of blood glucose.

Try to avoid physical activities and exertion. You are exploring a new place so some activities are bound to happen, but don’t forget that you have diabetes and cannot exert yourself more than required. Check your blood sugar level before and after any activities.

There are healthy food options available everywhere. Try to find a place with salad or healthy local cuisines and keep your dietary intake regulated.

Don’t forget to inform your travelling companions that you have diabetes so they can be alarmed and alerted in case of emergencies. Also, keep your medicines, glucose and food all the time in your backpack while travelling.

Don’t hesitate to take your insulin shots on the plane if needed. Air pressure in planes is different than that on grounds. So put only half as much air as you usually put in your insulin bottle. Talk to your doctor about the right way to do it before leaving.

The Takeaway:

All these tips and planning details might seem a lot at first, but they are quite easy to follow if you look at the bigger picture. By following just a few tips, you can travel the world without any problem. Don’t let diabetes control your fun!

Reference Links:

1. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/traveling-with-diabetes.html
2. https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/tips-for-traveling-with-diabetes#How-to-stay-healthy-during-your-flight
3. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/traveling?page=2
4. https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/tips-traveling
5. https://pharmeasy.in/blog/traveling-with-diabetes-things-to-add-to-your-checklist/