Tips for Safe Travel When You Have Diabetes

Whether you are setting off on a cross country road trip or have set your sites on far-flung destinations, you do not want travel to throw managing your diabetes off track. Changes in mealtimes, unfamiliar food options, different time zones, and changes in your activities –whether hiking in the mountains, sunbathing for a week at the beach or sightseeing in European capitals - can disrupt your routine and impact your blood sugar. By planning and being prepared, you can continue to control your diabetes and avoid health consequences.

Before you leave home

Your pretravel diabetes travel checklist should include the following:

See your doctor: Schedule an appointment with your physician to discuss how your planned activities could affect your diabetes and if so, what you should do about them. As part of your discussion, find out what to do if you need refills for your medications. Your doctor also can provide you with a letter that describes how you treat your diabetes, the medicines and equipment you use to manage your diabetes, and any allergies you have to food or medications. This letter can be critical in the event you need care when you are away from home.

Research pharmacy locations: Research where pharmacies and clinics are located close to your hotels or other accommodations. Get medical insurance in case you need care away from home.

Know TSA rules about your diabetes travel kit: If you are flying, learn what to expect at TSA checkpoints. TSA allows insulin pumps, glucose monitors and diabetes medications in carry-on and checked bags but there are special instructions you must follow. [1]

·         Insulin: Let officers know you have medically necessary liquids and place them in a bin separately for x-ray screening if in a carry-on bag. You may have them in checked bags.

·         Insulin pumps and glucose monitors: Let the TSA offers know you have diabetes and are carrying supplies with you in your carry-on bag. Insulin must accompany insulin pumps and supplies. You must identify insulin in any form or dispenser.

·         Let TSA know if you have an insulin pump, glucose monitor or other medical devices attached to your body. You may have these items in your checked luggage.

However, regarding checking insulin and other injectable medications, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) advises against putting insulin in checked baggage because of the negative impact severe pressure changes and temperature can have on it. ADA advises packing these mediations and supplies in your carry-on. [2]

ADA also recommends when it comes to your diabetes travel checklist and flying:[3]

·         Have your prescriptions with you. You can bring the prescription labels, if possible. TSA does not require them, but they can make screening easier.

·         Pack medications in separate, clear, sealable bags since bags in carry-ons must be removed and for screening.

·         Carry or wear medical ID and carry contact information for your physician.

·         Pack extra supplies in your diabetes travel kit.

·         Do not worry about insulin, liquids and gel exceeding the TSA 3.4 ounce liquid and gel limit. People with diabetes may take insulin, other medications, and other liquids and gels, including juice and cake gel, through TSA checkpoints, even if they are in containers greater than 3.4 ounces.

·         Consider as part of your travel kit glucose tables, hard candy, or raisins for carbohydrates to treat hypoglycemia versus bringing multiple containers of liquid or gel to treat the condition should it come on. These carbohydrate supplies are a more practical solution to carry onto your flight.

Crossing time zones

Be prepared if you take insulin shots and your travel involves crossing time zones. As part of your diabetes travel checklist, plan to talk to your doctor about this and ask for help in planning the timing of your shots. Traveling east means your day will be shorter, which could require taking less insulin. Traveling westbound makes your day longer, which means you may need more insulin. One way to help manage the changing times is to keep your watch or mobile phone clock on your home phone time zone one until you arrive at your destination. [4]

Food travel tips

You should have a diabetes travel bag with food in it to avoid fluctuations in your blood sugar. Also consider the following: [5]

Plan your activities: It will help you work in your insulin and meals.

Keep food on hand: Whether you travel by car, airplane or train, consider food to bring along in a diabetes travel bag. If you are going on a road trip, bring a cooler with different snacks as part of your diabetes travel kit such as fresh non-starchy vegetables, low fat string cheese, nuts, hard-boiled eggs, plain popcorn, and whole grain crackers.

If you are flying or for other reasons cannot keep a cooler with you, take along baggies with measured portions of nuts or peanut butter on whole grain bread or crackers, for example.

Request a special meal: If you are flying, you also can request a diabetes-friendly meal ahead of your flight.

Check menus before dining: If possible, check menus online at restaurants around where you will be traveling to see what foods they offer. Some menus list ingredients and facts about nutrition. Looking ahead helps you decide where and what to eat to manage your blood sugar.

Other advice

·         Check your blood sugar often to detect any highs or lows from travel.[6]

·         Watch the heat. Avoid getting sunburn. Elevated temperatures and even sunburn can impact blood sugar.[7]

·         Check your feet every day, looking for signs of blisters, cuts, redness, swelling, and scratches. Avoid going barefoot, even on the beach. [8]

·         Drink plenty of water to avoid getting dehydrated especially if you are traveling to warmer climates. Water consumption, while it will not replace insulin or medications you may need for diabetes, also plays a role in preventing high blood glucose readings or keeping them from getting worse.

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Included here are some tips to add to your diabetes travel checklist to ensure you have a wonderful vacation with no health complications. There also are many other resources online for traveling with diabetes you can check as well as talking to your doctor about needs specific to your condition.