Travelling with Diabetes

So how can you prepare for your holiday if you are travelling with diabetes?

• Contact your doctor to find out what vaccinations you might need
• Have a medical exam before you travel to check that your diabetes is under control
• Book your travel insurance - goodtogoinsurance.com can cover you as a diabetic
• Your blood glucose monitor is permitted on flights
• Take extra snacks on long flights as airline meals can often be small
• As a diabetic, you are entitled to carry syringes and insulin on flights, provided you take a doctor's letter with you
• Carry insulin in your hand luggage in case your hold luggage is lost
• If you need to store insulin in your hold luggage, put it in a flask or wrap it in bubble wrap and store it in the centre of your suitcase to stop it freezing
• Take extra medication with you to account for delays
• If you are travelling to a hot country, take a cool bag to store your insulin in as hot weather can affect its efficiency
• Hot climates increase your susceptibility to hypoglycaemia so you might need to alter your insulin dose
• Remember to adjust the timing of your medication in different time zones
• Carry your diabetes ID with you or wear a diabetes ID bracelet
• When you are out and about in a foreign country, carry snacks with you and plan your activities around meal times
• Don't assume that your destination will have suitable snacks available. Take snacks from home to last your whole trip
• Drink plenty of water and steer clear of caffeinated drinks that can deplete your body fluids
• Enjoy the local cuisine while you are abroad but check your blood glucose levels regularly to make sure that foreign food isn't affecting your diabetes too much
• Before taking medicine for travel sickness or diarrhoea, check that it won't affect your diabetes medication

Follow these tips and travelling with diabetes needn't be a chore.