Traveling with Diabetes: Tips for Managing Your Condition Away from Home

April 5, 2024

Who doesn't like to travel? Most of the people travel to reduce stress and or sometimes for some work. But this journey seems pleasant only when there is no problem in it. In case of diabetes, it is often believed that blood sugar level increases while traveling.

For this reason, diabetic patients often avoid traveling and have to sacrifice their desires every time. Diabetes is a common condition, to control it people have to be careful every hour, every minute of the day. However, people with diabetes can enjoy all kinds of recreational trips, from spending a week at the beach, camping in the Rockies, to sightseeing throughout Europe. Furthermore, after reading this blog you can enjoy summer holidays with your kids, but traveling during diabetes needs to be planned in advance. People often make some mistakes during travelling, due to which their blood sugar level increases and this increases their problems. But, if some things are kept in mind then it can be very easy to avoid these problems.

So today in this blog we will discuss a few tips to manage diabetes while traveling. By following those diabetes travel tips, you will be able to enjoy your trip without worrying about spikes in blood sugar.

Planning An Ahead

Before planning or going for the trip just tell your doctor about your plans. Tell your healthcare provider where you are going for the vacation and for how many days so that you get the right advice on whether you are medically fit to travel or not. Get a complete medical check-up done before setting out on a trip to ensure that your blood sugar levels are under control and that you have the necessary vaccinations and medicines, so that you do not face any problems if your diabetes flares up.

Carry Medical Supplies

Don’t forget to take from your doctor a letter stating you have diabetes and why you need medical supplies. Make sure you have an enough supply of medication like insulin; diabetes capsules, syringes, lancets, and test strips for at least an extra 2 to 3 weeks in case of any delay. Because many times when we go to a new place, it is not necessary that we get medicine easily. If you are traveling in the flight, keep your medicine in the checking bags.

Medical Facility Near Your Destination

Before leaving for the trip, research about the healthcare facilities over there and make sure where you are going to stay. Have nearby medical facilities so in the case of an emergency you will immediately get medical help.

Carry Medical Documents

If you don’t want to ruin all the fun or manage diabetes while traveling, you must carry all necessary medical documents like prescriptions, medical history, and insurance with you. Carrying medical id bracelet that shows you have a diabetes and most important, if you are traveling alone especially in the other country so a piece of paper or card with your doctor’s name and contact number with you and also trying to learn these phrase “I have a diabetes or water please” in the language of country you will be visiting.

Packing Essential

Pack all diabetes supplies in one carry bag and carry ice packs or cool bags to maintain the temperature of the insulin and don’t forget to pack extra insulin. It is important to read the instructions on storage or temperature conditions as insulin activity is subject to changes in temperature. Diabetic person must carry the diabetic meter and an extra battery of meter so you can keep your blood sugar level in control.

Carry Healthy Snacks

It is natural to feel hungry while traveling. Make sure to carry healthy snacks like nuts, fruits and raw veggies, juice boxes and some sugar candy will help to treat low blood sugar levels. Try to arrange some snacks for yourself from home because snacks available in the flight cannot be good for the body. Eat these snacks at regular intervals. By doing this diabetes travel tip, one can keep their blood sugar level remain under control.

Pack Comfortable Shoes & Clothes

Pack comfortable clothes and supportive shoes for walking long distances as you are more likely to get foot problems and infections, so it is really important to wear comfortable shoes. Pack your clothing according to the weather and bring moisture-wicking clothing to stay cool and dry during activities

Maintain Routine While Travelling

People with diabetes need to know this diabetes travel tip. In the enjoyment of a trip we always neglect our health but this can ruin all the fun. Therefore, sticking to a meal and medication schedule is important if you enjoy your trip without any hassle. Take your medicine on time, adjust your insulin dosage, and check blood sugar level before meals, at bedtime or as needed.

Keep Your Body Hydrate

It is very important to stay hydrated to keep the body healthy. When it comes to diabetic patients, hydration becomes even more important. One should avoid drinking sweet tea, coffee or juice during the journey because these things dehydrate the body and drinking them can also increase the sugar level. A diabetic patient should drink the right amount of water to keep himself hydrated. You can also squeeze lemon in water and drink it.

Keep Yourself Active

When you are traveling by bus, train or long flight, it's really important to keep yourself active by doing simple stretching exercises. Once you reach your destination, start your daily routine like morning walk or exercise to avoid unnecessary weight gain and prevent further complications. The long term inactivity significantly increases the blood sugar level.

Travel Insurance

Make sure to take travel insurance in which all your medical problems are covered and sign it only after reading all the documents. Diabetic patients face the problem of sudden increase and decrease in sugar level due to which infection and other problems can occur. So health insurance is very useful in dealing with such situations.

All Ready To Travel

Now you all ready to visit your favourite destination without worrying about diabetes. Managing diabetes while travel is not rocket science. By just following above mentioned tips like carrying your all essential things like diabetes capsules, insulin, healthy snacks and keeping your body hydrate & active you can keep your diabetes under control.