Tips on Traveling with Diabetes

Traveling With Diabetes

If you have diabetes, traveling for vacation or business requires extra planning. Changes in meal patterns, activity levels, and time zones can affect your blood sugar levels. That's why it's important to have some key reminders to make traveling with diabetes much easier.

Traveling With Diabetes: Making Plans

If you have diabetes, these are things you should do before you travel:

Make an appointment with your health care provider to discuss your travel plans.

Provide advance notice to your airline. You may request special meals in advance.

Get twice as many supplies needed to travel and bring extra prescriptions and a letter from your doctor explaining that you have diabetes.

If you need immunization shots, plan to get them three to four weeks before your vacation. Some of these shots can upset your blood sugar levels.

Be prepared. Know what facilities are available within the region that you will be traveling.

Traveling With Diabetes: What to Pack

These are items you should have with you if you're traveling and have diabetes:

Bring your doctor's name and phone number and keep it with you at all times.

Bring a list of current medicines and keep it with you at all times.

Always carry and wear medical identification that states that you have diabetes.

Keep medicines, syringes, blood glucose testing supplies, and all oral medications in your carry-on luggage. Do not check these supplies with your luggage in case it is lost. Also, the cargo hold is not heated or insulated well, so medicine and supplies can be damaged.

Take enough medication and medical supplies to last an extra week in case you get stranded or stay longer than you planned.

Have a traveling companion carry some of your medical supplies, if possible.

Always carry some type of sugar source in case you develop hypoglycemia.

Inform the airlines, cruise ships, and tour guides in advance that you have diabetes. Most airlines and cruise ships will provide special meals.

Test your blood sugar more often than usual.

Airport Security and Diabetes

Steps you can take to make your trip through airport security with diabetes supplies hassle-free:

Make sure you tell security that you are diabetic and that you are carrying medical supplies. Your supplies can be taken through security check points, but they must have a prescription label on them.

All of your supplies should have a proper manufacturer's label.

Syringes will be allowed through security if you have insulin as well.

If you are wearing an insulin pump you must notify security. They will visually inspect the meter. You must request that the meter not be removed.

Be sure to check the latest information on the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) web site on what you can take on board with you if you are flying and have diabetes.

Answer:

Your level is currently NormalHigh (hyperglycemia).Low (hypoglycemia).

If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.

People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Your blood sugar level is slightly high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.

However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your level is currently normal. However, if you are concerned about diabetes speak with your physician. There may be other risk factors that increase your risk for diabetes.

Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.

Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.

One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your blood sugar level may be high, depending on when you last ate. If you have not eaten for at least 8 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 100. If you've eaten within the last 2 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 140. You should call your health care provider and ask if you need laboratory tests to check for diabetes. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Blood sugars consistently above 180 warrant prompt medical attention.

Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.

One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your blood sugar level is high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

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