Travelling With Diabetes Made Easy!
Diabetes is one of most common diseases that people suffering from. It has become a lifestyle disease now; people are falling into its trap because of genes and other reasons as well. This article is all about travelling tips for those suffering from diabetes. You can surely use this for yourself or for your loved one suffering from diabetes. But before the travelling tips, let's understand briefly what diabetes is and the torment people go through.
Diabetes is a disease in which the body is unable to store or use the blood sugar produced in the body. People suffering from diabetes tend to have blood pressure issues. The pancreas produces insulin which helps in better digestion. People who suffer from diabetes have high blood pressure because the body does not produce the adequate amount of insulin, or the body is not able to use it the way it should be. This leads to a lot of health issues which needs to be taken care of.
Diabetes is generally of two types, namely, Diabetes Type I and Diabetes Type II. Gestational diabetes is another type of diabetes which only pregnant women suffer from. With a brief introduction of what diabetes is, let's understand what diabetic people go through.
Following is a list of symptoms or conditions that diabetic people feel.
With the above feelings or torments that diabetic people go through, they might end up doubting their idea of going on a vacation. It is a quite obvious for the person suffering from diabetes to think twice before going out on a vacation due to the health conditions he suffers from. But, we cannot just let ourselves or our loved ones dwell in that condition and not enjoy at all! Read on for some basic tips to keep in mind before travelling and while travelling, helping you get rid of all the worries and enjoy your trip!
As mentioned above, the sufferings of a diabetic person can be really hard on them; hence travelling would not be easy. Follow the tips written below for a hassle free vacation!
Try planning your trip at least a few months before. This will give you a lot of time to decide and do the necessary things important for your health.
It is imperative for the patient (be it men, women, adults, old people or even kids) to visit their doctor before going out on a trip. Even if the trip isn't planned or decided, do not skip your visit to the doctor. It is always safe and smart to schedule a full body check-up before you go for a trip, long or short, a complete check-up is a must. Ask your doctor to write down all the medications and injections that you will need during the trip. Make sure he also prescribes SOS medication as well for emergency situations. If you're going out for a business seminar or a trip with school or college, always carry a letter written by your physician mentioning your diabetic situation and other necessary details.
There are other things as well that needs to be discussed with your doctor. After you decide where you plan to go and for how many days, meet your doctor to discuss the further things. Discuss and plan out your meal and medication time, especially if you are travelling to another country. There might be some injections that the doctor would prescribe you weeks before your trip. Do not skip taking those injections as it will help in checking for side effects. Since you already have a list of medicines that needs to be taken, note down the generic names as well. This will help you in buying medicines in another country just in case you run out of stock or lose your medicine pouch.
If you're travelling by air, you need to take special care. One of the major concerns while travelling by air is the food they serve. The food is unhealthy and might create a problem for the diabetic person. While you book your ticket, check if there is a special option for food meant for people with different needs. If not, call up the airline and request for a healthy meal meant for diabetic people; still, if you don't get that service, opt for a vegetarian meal. Buy snacks from the airport if you're not comfortable eating the aeroplane meal, you should also buy snacks as support snacks. Carry your prescribed letter and inform the airport personnel and cabin crew about your situation. It will be helpful for you if an emergency occurs. Reach the airport ahead of time as your luggage screening might take time. This is when you need that prescribed letter the most! Those travelling to other countries would be sitting in the flight for long and you will feel sleepy for sure. Set an alarm or ask the attendant to wake you up so that you take your medicines on time.
If you are travelling by car, you should check your blood pressure from time to time. It is important for you to stop every few hours to stretch your body. Take breaks and walk for a while, this will improve your blood circulation. Try not to alter your meal and medicine timings; it will keep your body functioning normal. If you are behind the steering, then avoid driving between your meal time and injection time. If you feel a little out of place, pull over the car and take the medicines prescribed by your doctor and follow his advice as well. Start driving only if you feel better.
If you are travelling by train, then you require carrying food as well for the journey. The food served on the train is also very unhealthy for a diabetic patient. Talk to your doctor and take his advice. If he suggests carrying food, then do so. Take a stroll down the passage every now and then to improve blood circulation. Set your alarm for medicines as well. Contact your doctor if you feel weird and uneasy. Ask the ticket checker to call a doctor for emergency situations.
No matter how you travel, by plane, car or train; keeping your supplies close to you is very useful. No matter how heavy your hand luggage might be, do not keep your medicines in the checked in luggage as you never know when you would need your medicine. If you're travelling by train, keep your medicine pouch with you or put in the outer pocket of your bag. If you're travelling by car, keep your medicine pouch with you instated of keeping it in the boot space of your car.
Going on a vacation tends to disturb your daily routine of meals and medicines. The train might be delayed for a few hours, your plane might get delayed and hover over your holiday destination or your car tyre might puncture; all these sudden changes in the plan might disturb your routine. Try sticking to your normal routine otherwise, you would feel hungry at the time when you should be asleep or doing something else. Always carry some extra snack with you whenever or wherever you go out.
Keep in mind a few things while you pack for your trip. Do not forget to keep your medication document and prescribed letter. Carry twice as many medicines you require. Also, check for the nearest pharmacies or hospitals from your hotel. Do inform the airport authorities and the cabin crew about your condition. Carry enough insulin and check with your doctor as to how it should be stored. Temperature changes might ruin the insulin, hence do check with your doctor as to how you should store it according to the place you are going to. Carry a first aid kit as well; keeping all the medicines you might need in case of cold, fever, upset stomach and body pains. Also, pack comfortable clothes and sports shoes as you should feel easy and in comfort when you are out holidaying. Do slide in a piece of paper with the contact details of your relative or a family member for emergency situations.
Check your health insurance and make sure it covers everything that you might be at risk for. Also get your luggage insurance checked. You cannot afford to lose your luggage, but still do get it insured.
Caring for your feet is another thing that you should do. Do carry a first aid kit to treat any foot injuries. Avoid walking barefoot or wearing open footwear or flip flops, as it may increase the risk of foot injury. Wear covered shoes, preferably sports shoes as it keeps you comfortable. Keep washing your feet from time to time to avoid anything that may lead to any kind of foot complication.
Keep it easy after you reach your destination. Don't get excited about going out and exploring the city; take rest the first day. Keep checking your blood sugar several times a day; also plan your day's activities according to your insulin intakes. The first thing to do after reaching is taking rest, and also inquiring about the nearest pharmacy and hospitals. If you're out hiking or doing some other physical activity, carry snacks with you as your glucose falls when the body is active. Check the food you eat and ask for ingredients, unhealthy food might disturb your stomach and hurt your diabetes condition. Avoid drinking tap water if you're travelling abroad; always drink mineral bottled water whether you are in India or abroad.
Learning the language is a very important thing. No matter where you go; abroad or a place in India itself; practice phrases like 'I have diabetes', 'I need food', ' I need to see a doctor' in the regional language. So start practising French or the pahadi language now!
Even if you are going alone or with a group, let everyone around you know about your diabetic condition. Parents should specifically inform the teachers about your child's diabetic health when you send your child for a school trip. Also, request the teacher in charge to check your child's blood glucose from time to time just in case your child forgets. Provide all your contact details and also the contact of your doctor to the teacher.
Well, the above list of tips or must haves in not the exact list. No matter how many times you have travelled before, always check with your doctor regarding the things you need to carry for the holiday. Skipping the visit to your doctor is something you cannot afford to miss out. Read on for a quick checklist for diabetics.
So, go ahead and plan your long due vacation now! With the above-mentioned tips and suggestions, you can easily travel around the globe! Do not stop yourself from doing what your heart says, going on short trips from time to time will give you a break from your hectic life and keep you happy as well. A happy person is a healthy person. So leave all your diabetes-related inhibitions aside and start looking for your holiday destination!
Hi, I'm Sakhi, and I love to meet new people and learn new things from them. I strongly feel that make-up can make you look pretty on the outside, but eating healthy keeps you pretty on the inside!
