Travel by Plane
There are a few modes of transportation that will get your dream vacation started but air travel is one of the most popular -it’s also the one you need to be the most careful about. On most boats, cars or trains you typically have easier access to the right food for your diet and are able to carry your medication with you without problems. On a plane, however, you need to make sure and bring a doctor’s letter to explain to officials why you have insulin, syringes or any other prescription medicine. It’s also important that your doctor list exactly what medicines you’re prescribed; therefore, if you need to obtain them in another destination, there is medical proof of what you need.The FAA recommends that you carry all your medicine with the original pharmaceutical labels instead of in alternative packaging like pill boxes, for example. Make sure to keep your medicine in your hand luggage and not in the overhead bin (definitely don’t check it!) Beyond not having access to the medications, the quality could be compromised with the freezing air conditions in the belly of the plane once you’re up in the air. You also want to avoid the possibility of the airline losing your luggage and as a result, your medicine.
Sometimes airlines offer meals en route and you can ask for a diabetic specific meal; however, we recommend bringing your own meal, especially since meal times are uncertain on planes. When boarding the flight, let the flight attendant know that you have diabetes and ask for an aisle seat if you need to get to the bathroom more frequently for insulin injections. Tip: Something that many people forget is that the air on the plane is usually pressurized so make certain not to inject air into the bottle when drawing your insulin dose.
Packing
There’s a saying: when packing you should take half the clothes and twice the money. Diabetics actually should take twice the amount of medication and supplies that they anticipate needing as well. To avoid the instance of your blood glucose level dropping you should pack glucose meters, Diabetes test strips and/or a blood test kit so you can check your levels often. Have the appropriate snacks, glucose gel or tablets on hand in the instance that ever happens to be the case. It goes without saying but make sure to have the proper medical identification with you, insurance cards, first aid kits and any emergency phone numbers. Basically, everything a bystander would need to help you if something goes wrong. If you’re going to countries that speak different languages have your identification listed in their language as well.Time Change
It’s also important to consider the time zone differences. This will affect how much insulin you need to take since your day might be shorter or longer depending on the direction you’re traveling. If you’re heading east, your day will be shorter. If you’re heading west, it will be longer. So keep that in mind when planning.Travel is a universally enjoyed hobby – there’s something for everyone and you should enjoy it to the fullest even with the added challenge of managing your diabetes. It might take a little extra planning and caution but when you’re traveling with diabetes, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Practice these tips in addition to your normal diet regulations and get ready to take that well deserved trip. Bon voyage!