Travel is part of the spice of life. A little change of scene is as
good for diabetics as for non diabetics. Along with a change of scene, however, comes a change in personal care routines. As a diabetic you should plan for changes in your routine ahead of time by consulting your health care team. Plan as far ahead as possible. Learn the locations of local American Diabetes Association affiliates in the areas in which you will travel. Other suggestions your health care team may make include the following.

• Carry identification indicating that you have diabetes and information about your medication and dosages. Carry a prescription from your doctor for your insulin and syringes. Carry anti nausea medication as well as medication to relieve possible vomiting and diarrhea.
• Plan to alter your meal plan according to your travel plans. For example, when traveling by car, plan on having extra food supplies with you to avoid an insulin reaction. You can keep hard candy, raisins, graham crackers, or fruit handy.
• Store your insulin in a cool place such as inside the car with you rather than, in a trunk or glove compartment, where it might be extremely warm or exposed to heat or sun.
• If you are flying, be prepared to change your insulin injection procedure if you need to have an insulin injection while in the air. Plan on putting about half the usual amount of air into your insulin bottle to balance for pressure In the cabin in a high altitude flight.
• Be aware of changing time zones and administer your insulin injections and have your meals on your home time rather than according to the time zone you are in. Your health care team will assist you in planning ahead for time zone changes of two hours or more.
• Because traveling causes special stresses, it will be important to continue testing your glucose levels frequently to be sure that your diabetes is under control. If you notice high sugar readings, try to exercise more and reduce your intake of carbohydrates. Your health care team will give you instructions to follow regarding changes in insulin doses if your glucose level can’t be controlled with exercise and carbohydrates.
• Learn to say (or carry a card with you reading) “I have diabetes” in the languages spoken in the area in which you might travel.
• Tell your traveling companion(s) that you are diabetic and how the can assist you in case you need help. If you are on a tour, be sure that the tour guide or operator knows about your special needs, particularly about having meals at proper intervals and about what to do if medical emergency occurs.

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This entry was posted on Saturday, August 4th, 2007 at 4:18 am and is filed under Diabetes Information. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.