Patient education: Traveling when you have diabetes (The Basics)

Why is it important to plan ahead for travel? — If you have type 1 diabetes, treatment involves:

●Checking your blood sugar often

●Using insulin to keep your blood sugar levels in the right range

You can travel if you have diabetes. But it's important to plan ahead. Things like changing time zones, eating differently, and changing your activity level can all affect how you need to care for yourself. Thinking ahead lets you be prepared and enjoy your trip.

What should I do before I travel? — Talk to your doctor or nurse about how to plan for your trip. They can:

●Tell you if you need any vaccines before your trip

●Talk to you about your planned activities and how they might affect your diabetes

●Explain how to change your insulin dose or schedule while you are traveling

●Give you a letter explaining that you have diabetes and need to carry certain supplies

●Give you copies of your prescriptions in case you need them

You might also want to:

●Check with your airport or airline to learn about their rules

●Request a special airplane meal that works with your eating plan

●Learn about travel insurance in case you need medical care during your trip

●Think ahead about food options and how you will stick to your eating plan

What should I bring with me when I travel? — In general, it's a good idea to bring:

●A letter from your doctor explaining that you have diabetes – This will let you bring your diabetes supplies with you on an airplane.

●All of your regular diabetes supplies – Keep your diabetes and medical supplies in your carry-on bag. This includes pills, insulin, and anything else you need to check your blood sugar or give insulin.

●Extra medicine – Pack medicine in its original bottles with labels.

●Snacks – Bring healthy snacks, plus a quick source of sugar in case of low blood sugar. Bring a cooler if you will be traveling by car. This is important for storing insulin, especially if you are taking a long trip.

●A bracelet or other medical ID – This is so other people will know that you have diabetes. Then, they can help you get the care you need if there is an emergency.

What should I do when I am traveling? — This depends on where you are going and for how long.

Here are some general tips:

●Tell airport security about your diabetes supplies – If you have an insulin pump or a continuous blood glucose monitor, do not go through the X-ray machine. Instead, request a private security check. Have your other supplies organized so security can look at them. People with diabetes are allowed to bring extra liquids if needed.

●Take breaks from sitting – If you are on a long flight or drive, try to stand up and move around every hour or so. This helps prevent blood clots.

●Plan for time zone changes – If you travel to a different time zone, you will need to adjust the timing of your insulin doses. How to do this will depend on the type of insulin you use and how long you will be in the new time zone. Talk to your doctor before your trip so you know what to do. If you use an insulin pump, you will need to change it to reflect the local time.

●Check your blood sugar regularly – Traveling can affect your blood sugar. Check your levels regularly to make sure that you are giving the right amount of insulin. This will also help you plan for meals and physical activity.

●Continue to follow your eating plan – This can be hard when you are away from home. But it's important to continue to be careful about what you eat and when. This will help you keep your blood sugar in the right range.

●Drink plenty of water – This is especially important if the weather is hot or during a long plane ride.

●Store supplies carefully – Heat or sunlight can damage some medicines and supplies. Read and follow all instructions that come with your medicines and supplies.

●Wear comfortable shoes – It's important to protect your feet. Avoid walking barefoot either indoors or outdoors. Wear swim shoes if you go to the beach or a swimming pool.

●Wash your hands often – This is especially important before checking your blood sugar or giving an insulin dose.

●Locate pharmacies and clinics in area – It's a good idea to know where these are just in case.

What else should I know? — Make sure that you know how to contact your doctor or nurse in case you have a question while you are traveling.

Know the symptoms of high and low blood sugar so you can treat it right away. It's also important to know when to get emergency help.

Being prepared will make it easier to enjoy your trip without stress or worry.

More on this topic

Patient education: Type 1 diabetes (The Basics)
Patient education: Checking your blood sugar at home (The Basics)
Patient education: Using insulin (The Basics)
Patient education: Low blood sugar in people with diabetes (The Basics)
Patient education: Staying healthy when you travel (The Basics)

Patient education: Type 1 diabetes: Overview (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Type 1 diabetes: Insulin treatment (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Type 1 diabetes and diet (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Glucose monitoring in diabetes (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) in people with diabetes (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: General travel advice (Beyond the Basics)