Top Tips for Travelling with Diabetes
Usually, diabetes will not prevent you from traveling abroad; you simply need to make sure that you observe the same precautions that you would while you’re at home. However, for sufferers of diabetes, and other similar long-term conditions, there will always be some degree of worrying about your condition when traveling. This guide is designed to help those with diabetes travel without having to stress and worry about their condition.
The key to stress-free travel when you are diabetic is to make sure to plan ahead so that you aren’t caught off guard. Most health professionals advise diabetic patients to set aside at least four to six weeks to make all the necessary arrangements for their trip. Here are the things that you need to think about during that time.
What You Need to Travel With
You should always make sure that you carry your diabetes ID card with you at all times. It is also a good idea to carry a letter from your doctor (plus another copy translated into the language of wherever you will be traveling). You want this letter to contain some information about your condition (what types of diabetes you have), and also to specify any medications that you need and why you need them.
Food
You should try to plan ahead as much as you can regarding your diet. Consider what your requirements are, and then do some research on the kind of food available at the location. There will be other people facing the same problem as you, both travelers and locals, and so there is nearly always a suitable restaurant or eatery wherever you are traveling to. If you would prefer to prepare your own meals and snacks, have a look at easy-diabetic-recipes.com for some inspiration.
Medicines
As a general rule, you should aim to bring twice the quantity of medicine that you expect to need. This should keep you covered in the case of an emergency. In most places, it isn’t too difficult to obtain insulin in the event of a medical emergency, but it is worth investigating this beforehand so that you can be sure. If you are in any doubt, then you should consult with your GP and ask their advice.
Vaccinations
In the vast majority of cases, diabetes won’t have any effect on the vaccines that you receive, but it is worth consulting with your doctor to be sure. There are certain vaccinations that can interfere with particular combinations of medicine. These interactions are rare, but they do sometimes happen.
Air Travel with Diabetes
If there are any medical devices that you need to take onboard your flight, then you should contact the relevant airline well in advance of your flight time. If you require an insulin pump, then you may need to consult with the manufacturer and ask their advice on transporting the device through airport security.
Traveling with diabetes should be a relatively straightforward affair. It is always worth talking to your doctor beforehand about the specifics of your trip, but in most cases, you won’t have any problems.
