Planning your journey or holiday before you go helps you to enjoy yourself and may avoid problems with your diabetes while you are away.
Before you go:
- See your family doctor if you have any concerns about your current health and ability to travel. Have any recommended vaccinations. Ask your travel agent for advice.
- Vaccinations are best given well in advance of travel, as they may upset your diabetes for a short time. Ask your general practitioner and diabetes team for advice.
- It is therefore important that you get adequate travel insurance for your trip.
- Inform your travel company and travel insurer that you have diabetes. Ask if they recover loss or replacement of insulin.
- Obtain some form of diabetes identity card or jewelry stating that you have diabetes.
- If you are carrying syringes, needles or other equipment, you are advised to take a letter, particularly if you are traveling by air.
Diabetes Holiday Checklist
- Take twice as much insulin or tablets and equipment with you as you think you will need. Take ample dextrasol tablets, hypostop, or glucogon and ketostix with you. Carry all of your tablets or insulin and diabetes equipment in your hand luggage with you. If you are traveling with someone, give some of this to your traveling companion in case yours becomes lost.
- If you are travelling by air, never put your insulin into your suitcase. Temperatures in the hold of an aircraft are very low and will cause insulin to freeze.
- Carry a clearly written list of all your current medicine (or take a repeat prescription sheet). In case you need more medication while you are away.
Make up a simple first-aid box, which should include:
- Suntan lotion
- Simple pain killers
- Anti-diarrhoea capsules
- Travel sickness pills
- Plasters
- Antiseptic solution
Take a good supply of food and drink with you for any delays. It is best not to ask for a "diabetic meal" from the airline, as these often contain no carbohydrate.
If you are treated with insulin:
- Find out what types and strengths of insulin are available in the country that you are traveling to in case of emergency. Do not expose your insulin to very high or very low temperatures. It should be kept out of direct sunlight and must be kept cold.
- Take a cold bag with you or find some cool place to store your insulin when you arrive.
- Don't keep your insulin in a glove compartment or boot of a car.
- Remember that insulin may be absorbed faster in warmer climates, and you may, therefore, be more likely to have a hypo. Regular blood tests are therefore important as you may need to reduce your dose of insulin.
Long-haul flights and changing time zones
- Prepare for a long journey well in advance by asking your
- Diabetes Specialist Nurse to help work out your insulin dose.
- Try to be flexible and be prepared for flight delays.
- If you are traveling with someone, keep your watch. This will help you to work out how far you are from your usual eating time.
Diabetes Meals During Holiday
- Carry sandwiches, biscuits or cereal bars to cover any unexpected delays in travel. Remember to take this in your hand luggage and not to put this in the hold of a plane.
- Take any sweeteners with you.
- Airline meals may not contain sufficient carbohydrate. It is better to ask for an "ordinary" meal rather than asking for a special "diabetic" meal or to carry extra bread, a roll or fruit with you.
- Do not drink alcohol on an empty stomach. Remember that sugar-free drinks may not be available in all countries, and it is worth taking some along with you. In hot climates drink plenty of sugar-free fluids to prevent dehydration.
- Always check that the water is safe to drink.
- Bring enough snacks and drinks to cover your holiday.
Holiday Foot Care
Bring comfortable, well-fitting shoes in case your feet swell in hot weather:
- On the beach, do not walk barefoot, especially on hot sand.
- Watch out for sharp objects on the beach or while you are swimming.
- Check your feet every morning and evening, looking for breaks in the skin.
- If you develop a blister, cover this with a plaster and keep it clean.
Ill While On Holiday
Never stop your insulin or tablets, even if you cannot take solid foods. Before you travel, discuss managing sickness and diarrhoea with your diabetes care team. As a precaution, only drink bottled water, avoid salads and be careful about the hygiene level of restaurants.If you have sickness and/or diarrhoea and this persists, you should seek urgent medical advice.
Before you go:
- See your family doctor if you have any concerns about your current health and ability to travel. Have any recommended vaccinations. Ask your travel agent for advice.
- Vaccinations are best given well in advance of travel, as they may upset your diabetes for a short time. Ask your general practitioner and diabetes team for advice.
- It is therefore important that you get adequate travel insurance for your trip.
- Inform your travel company and travel insurer that you have diabetes. Ask if they recover loss or replacement of insulin.
- Obtain some form of diabetes identity card or jewelry stating that you have diabetes.
- If you are carrying syringes, needles or other equipment, you are advised to take a letter, particularly if you are traveling by air.
- Take twice as much insulin or tablets and equipment with you as you think you will need. Take ample dextrasol tablets, hypostop, or glucogon and ketostix with you. Carry all of your tablets or insulin and diabetes equipment in your hand luggage with you. If you are traveling with someone, give some of this to your traveling companion in case yours becomes lost.
- If you are travelling by air, never put your insulin into your suitcase. Temperatures in the hold of an aircraft are very low and will cause insulin to freeze.
- Carry a clearly written list of all your current medicine (or take a repeat prescription sheet). In case you need more medication while you are away.
Make up a simple first-aid box, which should include:
- Suntan lotion
- Simple pain killers
- Anti-diarrhoea capsules
- Travel sickness pills
- Plasters
- Antiseptic solution
Take a good supply of food and drink with you for any delays. It is best not to ask for a "diabetic meal" from the airline, as these often contain no carbohydrate.
If you are treated with insulin:
- Find out what types and strengths of insulin are available in the country that you are traveling to in case of emergency. Do not expose your insulin to very high or very low temperatures. It should be kept out of direct sunlight and must be kept cold.
- Take a cold bag with you or find some cool place to store your insulin when you arrive.
- Don't keep your insulin in a glove compartment or boot of a car.
- Remember that insulin may be absorbed faster in warmer climates, and you may, therefore, be more likely to have a hypo. Regular blood tests are therefore important as you may need to reduce your dose of insulin.
Long-haul flights and changing time zones
- Prepare for a long journey well in advance by asking your
- Diabetes Specialist Nurse to help work out your insulin dose.
- Try to be flexible and be prepared for flight delays.
- If you are traveling with someone, keep your watch. This will help you to work out how far you are from your usual eating time.
Diabetes Meals During Holiday
- Carry sandwiches, biscuits or cereal bars to cover any unexpected delays in travel. Remember to take this in your hand luggage and not to put this in the hold of a plane.
- Take any sweeteners with you.
- Airline meals may not contain sufficient carbohydrate. It is better to ask for an "ordinary" meal rather than asking for a special "diabetic" meal or to carry extra bread, a roll or fruit with you.
- Do not drink alcohol on an empty stomach. Remember that sugar-free drinks may not be available in all countries, and it is worth taking some along with you. In hot climates drink plenty of sugar-free fluids to prevent dehydration.
- Always check that the water is safe to drink.
- Bring enough snacks and drinks to cover your holiday.
Holiday Foot Care
Bring comfortable, well-fitting shoes in case your feet swell in hot weather:
- On the beach, do not walk barefoot, especially on hot sand.
- Watch out for sharp objects on the beach or while you are swimming.
- Check your feet every morning and evening, looking for breaks in the skin.
- If you develop a blister, cover this with a plaster and keep it clean.
Ill While On Holiday
Never stop your insulin or tablets, even if you cannot take solid foods. Before you travel, discuss managing sickness and diarrhoea with your diabetes care team. As a precaution, only drink bottled water, avoid salads and be careful about the hygiene level of restaurants.If you have sickness and/or diarrhoea and this persists, you should seek urgent medical advice.
Diabetes Holiday Tips: Checklist, Treated and Meals
Reviewed by Rochani
on
4:40 AM
Rating:
Reviewed by Rochani
on
4:40 AM
Rating:
