With summer right around the corner, you may have some vacation and travel plans in mind. That’s great, but Angela Ginn-Meadow, a senior diabetes educator at the University of Maryland Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology in Baltimore, has a reminder for you.
“You can go on your vacation and have fun, but you can’t forget you have diabetes,” she says.
That’s because traveling — be it for pleasure or business — can take you out of your diabetes care routine. If you’re not careful, that could lead to unintended blood sugar spikes and health emergencies.
[See: 6 Tips to Keep Diabetics Out of the Hospital.]
Here are 14 tips to help you travel and manage your diabetes right.
Make a list in advance of the supplies you’ll need. You don’t want to forget something just because you’re packing at the last minute. The list should include your medications (as well as an extra supply), insulin if you use it, cooling packs for your insulin, your blood sugar monitoring device and extra batteries, test strips and healthy snacks. Other possible items: ketone strips (these test your urine for your blood sugar), your health insurance card, the names of emergency contacts, a glucagon kit and syringes if you use insulin and extra prescriptions, advises David Weingard, CEO of Fit4D in New York City, which teaches people how to live better with chronic conditions such as diabetes. (Weingard also has Type 1 diabetes.)
Keep your diabetes supplies close to you in a carry-on pack versus checked luggage. That way, if you miss a flight, you still have everything you need.
Wear your medical ID bracelet or necklace. This lets bystanders and health professionals know you have diabetes and may need special attention in case of an emergency.
Plan special care for your insulin. Open insulin needs to be kept at room temperature. So, if you’ll be in a hot car, have a cooling ice pack for it, and put a towel between the ice and medication to stop it from accidentally freezing, Weingard advises. “If you’re in an area that will be excessively cold, keep open insulin close to your body to keep it at the appropriate temperature,” he says. Unopened insulin should be at fridge temperature, so wrap it in a towel with an ice pack when it’s not in the fridge.
If you use an insulin pump, have extra supplies on hand when traveling, including reservoirs, infusion sets, inserters and extra batteries.
If you’re flying, get a note from your doctor that explains you have diabetes and why you need the supplies. This can help when you go through airport security screening. If you’re going to a foreign country, consider having the note translated to the language spoken there, Weingard says.
Buy travel insurance. You never know when your health could affect travel plans. Ginn-Meadow tells the story of traveling with friends to Madrid, and one friend with diabetes visited Nice, France. While there, she got very sick — and that’s where the letter from her doctor and her extra prescription refills came in handy. “While she was there, she was able to communicate with doctors, and she had a speedy recovery … You want to have a good time, but you also want to be happy and healthy,” she says.
Throw an extra pair of flip flops or slippers in your suitcase. When you have diabetes, you’re more prone to losing sensation in your feet. So, you could step on a nail, shell or other item and not even know it, and an infection could develop. Always wear footwear so you’re less likely to get injured, advises Dr. Deena Adimoolam, an endocrinologist and assistant professor of diabetes, endocrinology and bone disease at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.
[See: Got Diabetes? Why You Must Protect Your Feet.]
Move around periodically if you’re flying or driving a long distance. “There is always a risk of blood clots when you sit still for a while. Try to get up and walk around every hour or two if you are at risk for these,” Weingard says.
Always have healthy snacks and pure sugar items on hand. The latter will come in handy if you experience low blood sugar and could include glucose tablets or juice. Some ideas for healthy snacks: raw veggies, small fruit servings, cheese sticks and nuts.
Research food options at your destination in advance. Ginn-Meadow has even contacted chefs on cruise lines for clients to find out about food options, and the chefs have been willing to modify what’s available. You also can use restaurant apps to check out menus and choose what looks good (and won’t send your blood sugar out of control). And don’t be afraid to ask servers about low-sugar or low-carb choices or modifications.
Beware of alcohol. Alcohol can affect your blood sugar control. If you must imbibe, do so with a meal or snack to lessen the effect on your blood sugar, Ginn-Meadow advises.
Use apps to help you stay on track. For example, apps focused on tracking physical activity can help you stay motivated to be physical. The apps CalorieKing and Nutrition Data provide nutrition information on common foods, including many fast food options. There are also apps that will tell you what food options are available along certain highway exits, so you can aim for road food choices that are a little healthier. “Indulge wisely,” Ginn-Meadow recommends.
[Read: 8 Complications of Diabetes.]
Test your blood sugar frequently. “Changes in routine, eating and exercise habits can drastically affect blood sugar levels,” Weingard says. “The more you check, the more chances you have to improve your results.”
By the way, your blood sugar monitoring device can overheat, so make sure it’s not exposed to extreme temperatures, Ginn-Meadow advises.
Check with your doctor about when to take your meds if you are traveling to another time zone. Not using meds when you’re supposed to could unexpectedly alter your blood sugar.
Stay hydrated. When you travel, it’s easy to skip on drinking enough liquids, Adimoolam says. And traveling can dehydrate you more easily, be it from flying, too much sun and sweat, different physical activity or drinking alcohol. Always have water available and remember to sip away.
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14 Tips for Traveling With Diabetes originally appeared on usnews.com
