Healthy Travel Tips for People with Diabetes

You may be able to leave most of your many troubles behind by going away from your town but unfortunately your diabetes will come along with you. If you don't want your diabetes to prevent you from enjoying your journey you must do some advance planning so that there are no diabetes related surprises while traveling. You need to be more vigilant in regularly monitoring your diet and exercise while traveling. Fortunately with the modern methods of controlling glucose it is possible these days for people having diabetes to travel without facing any problems. Discussed below are some travel tips for people with diabetes, for both road and air travel.

1. Inform your own travel agent about your special requirements relating to diabetes. This will surely help your agent to plan your itinerary in such a way that you will not face any trouble while traveling.

2. Consult with your regular health care providers and let them know about your travel plans. Make sure that your glucose level, cholesterol and blood pressureare under control before you start. Plan out your medications as well as your meals with their help. This is extremely important if you will be going across time zones.

3. Some countries and airlines may ask for written documentation about your diabetes. Get a prescription form your doctor and also a letter giving details about your diabetes and supplies, allergies, etc. Have your doctor's address and telephone number with you. It is good to wear an identification that says you are suffering from diabetes, preferably also written in the different languages of those countries you will be visiting.

3. If you are going on a long journey then you should receive all your various immunizations before starting out. Consult your doctor and depending on what types of immunizations are required for your place of visit get yourself immunized in time. Getting immunized at least 4 weeks before traveling is a very good idea because it will give you enough time for dealing with any side effects.

4. If you are going to cross time zones then you should ask your own doctor to work out your medication and meals schedule. Let them have your travel schedule and details of time zones. This is extremely important if you are taking insulin injections. It helps to remember that moving eastwards will result in a shorter day whereas moving westwards will mean a longer day. Accordingly less or more insulin will be needed.

5. Diet is an important part of diabetes management. Therefore it is extremely important to find out about meal timings during flight. Even if they are alright for you, you should carry sufficient food to take care of emergencies and delays.

6. There are certain things that you should take care while packing if you are diabetic. To be on the safer side pack double the quantity of diabetes supplies, blood testing material and medications that you estimate you will need. One set should be with you in your carryon bag and the other set can be stored in your suitcase. This will take care of any supply problems and will not cause any trouble if your luggage goes missing. Also carry an extra set of batteries required for the glucose meter.

7. It is necessary that your insulin be kept cool. To do this pack your insulin inside a well insulated bag containing refrigerated gel type packs.

8. If you are traveling by car check your own blood sugar level before leaving. Again check your own blood sugar level every 4 hours whether you yourself are the passenger or driver. Every few hours stop to stretch out your legs getting some light exercise to improve your circulation.

9. The FAA has recommended that travelers having diabetes should have the original labeling in all the supplies and medications. Keep all the original pharmaceutical labeling and packaging intact for all your insulin delivery systems and syringes.

10. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) advises that at the airport you should notify the screener there that you are diabetic and that you are carrying the diabetes supplies along with you. This will help in expediting the security checkpoint screening procedure. You should ask for the screener supervisor if you face any problems at the checkpoint. Also in the case of unfair treatment you can contact the TSA toll free number 866-289-9673.