Diabetic Travellers
Whenever you travel it is essential to plan ahead.
A visit to your Diabetic Adviser or GP as soon as you are aware
of your travel schedule is a good place to start. If you plan carefully
now, you will save yourself from a lot of trouble later on.
Plan Ahead
It is important to think through your trip. Research
your destination carefully and think through the practicalities
of how long you plan to be away, and what kind of activities you
plan to take part in - will you be more or less active than you
normally are at home? And what about food, do you easily adapt to
other foods or will you have a hard time finding something you like
to eat?
Visit your GP or diabetic advisor in good time to
sort out your supplies and equipment -
- A letter from your GP confirming you are a diabetic,
and why you have needles in your possession, would be a good idea!
- Make sure you get a prescription for your medication,
enough for the trip and a bit more.
- Purchasing a diabetic identity bracelet gives
some travellers the piece of mind they need when travelling, as
does having medications listed for emergency situations.
- Immunisations and anti-malaria medication are
usually safe for the diabetic, and should be discussed with your
doctor.
- Insurance is best sorted out as soon as possible
and the wise traveller will shop around. It is important to mention
your diabetes as a pre-existing condition. Ask at Diabetes UK
if you need help in finding a good policy. Excellent guides can
also be purchased at Diabetes UK, giving you specific country
prescription regulations. As well as good insurance, you will
also need an EHIC if you are travelling within Europe.
Travelling with Insulin
When you travel by air it is not always necessary
to order "diabetic meals". Check your carbohydrate intake
regularly and, if required, top-up with snacks on the journey.
When travelling by air don't be afraid to ask a
flight attendant for more food or a slice of bread if you need it.
When you are about to eat on a flight, don't take your insulin until
you see the food coming down the isle - all kinds of things can
cause a hold up or delay in it getting to you!
If you are travelling into unknown territories,
take plenty of snacks, especially if you are backpacking and are
unsure of your final destination details. The journey might take
longer than you planned, and the McDonalds you thought would be
on every corner, might not be there!
Always keep your insulin with you at all times.
Insulin should always be carried in your hand luggage, out of direct
sunlight or freezing conditions - such as an aeroplane hold! If
your insulin comes in U-100 check the conversion rate in countries
where it comes in U-40 or U-80. It will be essential in this situation
to get new syringes to avoid dosage mistakes. Travel to tropical
regions of the world will require you keeping the insulin in a cold
pack, or in a cool place, maybe next to a cold water bottle.
Heat will affect the rate at which insulin is absorbed.
In the heat, insulin is absorbed quicker. It is therefore important
to monitor your levels in hot weather and adjust your diet as required.
In a cold climate insulin is absorbed slower. Also
if you find yourself cold and shivering it is possible to use up
energy and lower your blood sugar levels. Monitor your blood sugar
levels in extreme conditions and never let your insulin freeze.
Adjust your insulin times when you reach
your destination - you will have already discussed this with your
diabetic adviser but just to remind you:
When travelling WEST lengthen the gap between
insulin doses or add extra food with an extra dose until adjusted.
When travelling EAST shorten the gap and reduce dosages.
Always check your blood sugar at regular intervals when you cross
time zones, as you might need to adjust your dosages. Remember perfect
control might not be possible in the first few days, but keep working
at it.
Arriving at your Destination
Finally arriving at your destination is a very exciting
time - make sure you have pre-booked a hotel for the first few nights
if you are backpacking, so that you have time to readjust to your
surroundings before setting off.
It is inevitable that on some days you might not
feel yourself, either because you are adjusting to different food,
or because you have caught a local stomach upset which has left
you a little green! Traveller's diarrhoea is often a case of "when"
rather than "if" in most tropical destinations, and careful
attention should be given to food and water. It is important to
monitor your blood sugar levels carefully while you are sick. Maintain
a good level of carbohydrate content in your diet and don't delay
seeing a doctor if the problem continues or if you are worried about
your condition.
