Travel & Diabetes
People with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can travel all over the world – diabetes is no barrier. Make the right preparations and you should be able to minimise any potential problems. The diet for people with diabetes is the same healthy diet recommended for everyone so you should be able to choose items from the usual menu while away from home. If you are travelling alone, you may like to let the staff know when you check in as a precaution in case you become unwell during your stay. Things to check before you go Carry diabetes ID and a letter from your GP, which says you have diabetes and the medication you need to treat it if you are carrying insulin or an injectable medication. Take twice the quantity of medical supplies you would normally use for your diabetes. Find out where you can get supplies of insulin at your destination, in case of emergency. Contact your insulin manufacturer before the trip to see if your insulin is supplied in the country you are travelling to. It's also worth checking that it is sold under the same name. You can get your prescription sent to your destination by courier. Flights often cross time zones. If you treat your diabetes with medication or insulin, it’s important you check with your diabetes care team. If you need to make any changes to your regime be mindful that a hot or cold climate may affect how your insulin and blood glucose monitor work. Apply for the free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if you are travelling to a European Union member country – it will ensure that you have easy access to healthcare in that country. Apply for your card on theEHIC page on the NHS choices website, by calling 0845 605 0707, or fill in a pack at the Post Office. Beware of websites which offer to take care of the application for yo Continue reading >>
Increased Security On Flights Affects People With Diabetes
Home » About Diabetes » Living With Diabetes » Holidays and Travel Tips » Increased Security on Flights Affects People with Diabetes Holidays and Travel Tips Increased Security on Flights affects people with Diabetes As a result of the New York disaster [9/11], the security at airports and on flights has increased. There are to be no sharp objects in hand luggage. Clearly this affects people requiring insulin, and other injectables, because syringes, pen injection devices and blood testing lancets are all sharp objects and therefore fit into this category. However, airports and airlines have recognised the need for people with diabetes to inject and test on flights and therefore special regulations have been made to enable people requiring insulin to take the necessary equipment on board the aircraft. The United Kingdom regulations People treated with insulin require a letter from their GP to allow syringes and other equipment to be carried in hand luggage. The letter must clearly state that you have diabetes and will need to inject and test during the flight. The letter will also need to refer to any further supplies in the baggage in the hold. Without such a letter you may not be allowed to take your medication on board. It is recommended that the letter be obtained well ahead of the expected date of your flight. The situation in other countries may be different, soIDDT recommends that you contact your airline for its exact policy but to be on the safe side, it is sensible to obtain a doctor’s letter. General points: If you are concerned that your syringes may be handled or tampered with at your hotel in your absence, take individually wrapped syringes with you rather than packs of ten. Use a syringe only once and then dispose of it carefully. In this way you wi Continue reading >>
General Precautions When Travelling With Diabetes
Travelling with Type 1 diabetes is the same as for people without diabetes. Like everyone, you must plan efficiently before travelling by land, sea or air. • Prior to the trip, schedule an appointment with your diabetes team as you will need to bring a letter on medical stationary stating you have diabetes and you use pens/pumps/meters. • Bring a written prescription with generic terms of medication you are taking in case you need to get extra supplies or need to visit a doctor when abroad. Photocopy all your relevant important documentation and give a copy to your travelling companion or keep a copy in separate luggage you are bringing. • Remember to always bring spare insulin (and spare pen devices), at least 2-3 times the normal amount you would use during the same timeframe. If using a pump, make sure you have adequate spare supplies you may need plus back up insulin. • More frequent testing may be necessary so you will need at least double your normal amount of glucose testing strips for the same timeframe plus a spare glucose meter. Don’t forget to bring ketone testing supplies also. Always split your supplies into two bags and if possible, give one set to a travelling companion in the event your luggage gets lost. • Look at your travel plans and check what vaccines are necessary. For information on what countries may need vaccines see Tropical Medical Bureau www.tmb.ie. They can provide you with detailed information on vaccines, malaria prevention and the latest health news tailored to your travel plans. It is important to note that there are no special restrictions for vaccinations due to diabetes. Furthermore, it is more important for a person with diabetes to actually get the recommended vaccinations, since illness will mean more difficult conseque Continue reading >>
Travel Tips For People With Diabetes
As any travel agent or stranded tourist will tell you, planning ahead is the key to a successful trip. And this is particularly true for people with diabetes - a little consideration will take you a long way and help keep you healthy once you are there. Whether you want to hike in the Canadian Rockies or lie in the Florida sunshine, you can turn to Diabetes Canada for travel tips to help you to make your journey safer and more successful. Did you plan ahead? Diabetes shouldn’t stop you from doing the things you want to do. If you want to travel, and you have diabetes, you must plan ahead carefully. Although you can’t avoid the odd surprise, preparing before you leave can help avoid undue stress. Consider telling your travel agent that you have diabetes and explaining some of the particular requirements that travelling with diabetes involves. That way, a suitable itinerary can be planned to meet your needs. A missed flight connection or illness can ruin the best-laid holiday plans. Did you consider the following ideas before you travel? Visit your doctor for a check-up several weeks before you leave for a holiday. Discuss your itinerary with your healthcare team and work out plans for your meals and medication, especially if you are travelling through different time zones. Be sure to get any required vaccinations at least four weeks before you travel, so you have time to deal with any possible side effects. Ask for a list of your medications (including the generic names and their dosages) from your pharmacist. If you take insulin, record the types of insulin and whether the insulin is rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate or long-acting. Be sure to carry a copy with you at all times. Have a letter from your doctor stating that you are allowed to carry medicines or Continue reading >>
Travel
Whether for work or pleasure, travel can and should be fun and having diabetes doesn’t mean you can’t travel. With good planning, your trip can be safe, fun and hassle-free whether you’re going interstate or overseas. While traveling: Make sure you eat well, consider how different foods will affect you Make sure you check your blood glucose levels regularly For people with type 1 diabetes - carry the right lollies with you (overseas brands may not be as strong) If you are flying, prepare for long delays or misplaced baggage (just in case!) If traveling overseas, time zones and extreme climates may affect you and how you manage your diabetes, talk to your doctor or diabetes educator Below is information on planning your trip, travel insurance, airport regulation, what to ask your doctor, tips on what to pack and flying. Planning your travel itinerary & bookings (Three Months Prior) Plan travel itinerary and make bookings If you wear an electronic device to monitor blood glucose levels or infuse insulin, check with the airline to see if these devices can be operated in-flight Arrange travel insurance for health and belongings Check vaccination requirements When booking your flights, you may choose to tell the airline you have diabetes. This will be passed on to the cabin crew who are trained in meeting your needs during the flight. In general, ‘diabetic’ meals served in-flight can be quite bland and no longer necessary. However you may choose to order meals that are low in saturated fat and high in fibre and carbohydrate at the time you make your bookings. Be sure to make arrangements in advance so that you comply with Australian airline security regulations specifically for people with diabetes. The regulations are: You must carry all diabetes supplies includin Continue reading >>
Travel With T1d
Traveling is one of lifes great pleasures and people with T1Dare taking off and exploring the world with ferocity. The key to getting the most from a trip borrows from the Boy Scout adage: Be Prepared. If you have T1D you can go anywhere and do anything, you just need strategies firmly in place. 1. Whether traveling for work orpleasure, know your destination. People with diabetes live everywhere and they all need supplies. Just make certain you know where to find them and how to seek medical help if needed! For English speakers the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers is a great source. 2. Check with your health insurance to understand if you have coverage at your destination. Purchase additional travel insurance if needed, with coverage for pre-existing conditions. 3. Gather your arsenal of supplies and dont pack light! Go for twice as many supplies as you normally would need. Its smart to split supplies between two bags a carry-on and a suitcase, for example in case of loss or theft, but keep insulin in your hand held luggage to protect from cargo bay temperatures. Include: Any parts of a pump that might get damaged or malfunction. (Many pump companies will provide a loaner pump for overseas travel at no extra cost.) If you pick up insulin abroad buy new syringes as well. (American insulin and syringes come U-100, while other countries sell U-40 or U-80.) Understand what you are injecting! 4. Identify yourself! Carry a letter from your doctor with your care routine and wear a medical ID bracelet or tags. 5. Know your rights especially when traveling through airport security. Feel free to identify your needs to the agent in charge before approaching the scanner. You are allowed to carry your medical supplies, including emergency juice and liqu Continue reading >>
Traveling With Diabetes
Having diabetes should never hold you back from doing the things you love or from embarking on new adventures. However, when it comes to traveling, especially to destinations far off the beaten path, managing all the details of your diabetes care in addition to the details of travel – tickets, itineraries, connections, and reservations, to name a few – may seem overwhelming. You may be concerned about simply getting your supplies onto the airplane, not to mention time zone changes, new climates, or counting carbohydrates in the jungle or desert. Even a simple pleasure like sightseeing can feel difficult to manage with diabetes. However, with a little forethought and planning, many obstacles can be overcome. Here are some tips to help make your travels as stress-free as possible. Getting through the airport If you’re traveling by plane, you may encounter a few hassles at the airport, where upgraded security measures and baggage restrictions have become the norm, and flight changes or delays are always a possibility. Wearing a medical ID bracelet or necklace and showing it to security personnel is a good first step toward explaining why you are carrying medicines and diabetes supplies and is sometimes sufficient since more people are becoming knowledgeable about diabetes. A letter from your doctor that includes the date, your name, your diagnosis of diabetes, and a list of all the supplies (blood glucose meter, strips, lancets, etc.) and medicines you use can also smooth your way through security. If you use insulin, make sure that the type of insulin and dosage or pump, as well as the supplies you need for administering it, are listed as well. (This list might include an insulin pen and needles, syringes, or pump infusion sets.) Personally, I made such a list, had Continue reading >>
6 Tips For Safe Overseas Travel When You Have Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which a patient’s pancreas stops producing insulin. Insulin is a hormone that enables a person to derive energy from the food they consume. Essentially, the body’s natural immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells – called the beta cells – in the pancreas. Type 1 diabetes strikes children and adults at any age, causing dependence on insulin injections or pumped insulin for life. According to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), as many as three million Americans have Type 1 diabetes and the prevalence in those under age 20 appears to be rising. Travelers with Type 1 diabetes face a wide range of risks that have little effect on healthy travelers. Some of those risks include: Changes in physical activity Meals away from your typical diet Too much or too little sleep Impact of stress Even something as simple as a mild sunburn can have an affect on a diabetic traveler’s blood sugar level and cause a range of problems. Before any trip, a traveler with Type 1 diabetes has to take extra precautions. See the following tips for a safe trip when you have Type 1 diabetes. 1. See your Doctor Ahead of Time Your regular doctor will be able to give you some support including: A letter to explain your insulin pump, injection supplies, etc. A prescription for any medications you need If you need immunizations for your trip, you’ll want to have those well ahead of time and with your regular doctor so you have plenty of time to recover before you leave. See our Essential Pre-travel Health Checklist for additional tips. You should have more than enough insulin, syringes, test strips, and other supplies for your trip, but pack extra in case you experience a need for more insulin. 2. Be Prepared for an Continue reading >>
6 Tips For Traveling With Type 1 Diabetes
6 Tips for Traveling with Type 1 Diabetes A globetrotter with Type 1 shares how to enjoy the journey, even when you forget your insulin in Kuala Lumpur. Im watching for my stop on a rickety train in rural Hungary, but there are no signs and I cant understand the announcements. This isnt the time to worry about my blood sugar levels. Ive had Type 1 diabetes for over 30 years, and it hasnt stopped me from doing anything or going anywhere. Ive traveled throughout Europe, Japan, Mexico, Southeast Asia, China, and the U.S. On all of my trips, taking care of my blood sugar levels is my first priority, but that doesnt get in the way of the adventure. From personal experience, here are 6 tips on rules of the road for traveling with Type 1: Recently in the small Czech town of Cesky Krumlov, I had a small sandwich and coffee at a little caf in the shadow of an ancient castle. My blood sugar was fine before the meal. Two hours later, though, I was over 300. How? It must have been the dense bread. From then on, I started upping my dosage when eating bread in Europe, and my readings improved. Even familiar foods may be prepared differently in foreign locales, so you can never be positive what will happen with your blood sugar. Check often, including every time you eat something new, even if you think you know what your reading is going to be. Throughout several weeks in Estonia and Latvia, I was consistently high. No matter what I did, I often was over 200. It was starting to get to me, but I didnt give up. By patiently experimenting with my Humalog doses, my readings eventually improved to an acceptable level. In times like these, its good to keep things in perspective. Uneven sugar levels happen to all people with diabetes, whether they are traveling or not. Wouldnt you rather ha Continue reading >>
How To Take Insulin And Needles On A Plane
Step 1 Visit your physician four to six weeks before taking your trip. Show your physician your flight itinerary to show time zone changes, arrival and departure times, and flight durations to determine whether you need a change in your pill or insulin regimen. Ask your physician for extra prescriptions in case you lose your medication on the plane or during your trip. Step 2 Tell the TSA security officer that you have diabetes and are carrying needles and insulin in your carry-on bag. If you are wearing an insulin pump, notify the security officer that you have an insulin pump and you will need a visual inspection of your pump and pat-down instead of going through the walk-through metal detector. Explain to the officer that you cannot remove the insulin pump as it is under your skin with a needle. Step 3 Show proof that a physician prescribed your insulin and needles. Provide a professional, preprinted pharmaceutical label identifying the medication. Travel with your original insulin box and glucose meter that shows the pharmaceutical label. Step 4 Protect your medication by packing your diabetes supplies and medication in a carry-on bag to keep you from losing your items. Ask if you can refrigerate your insulin while on the plane or store it in a thermos to keep it at a safe temperature. Keep any pills in a dry place to avoid moisture damage and never freeze the insulin vials. Keep all supplies and medication together for easy access in case you need it. Be sure and pack enough sharps disposal containers for storing used syringes. Pack more than enough insulin in case of an additional layover or unexpected trip extension. Wear a diabetes Medic-Alert bracelet in case of an emergency. Advise flight personnel or security officers if you are in need of medical assistance Continue reading >>
Holidays And Travel Tips
Home » About Diabetes » Living With Diabetes » Holidays and Travel Tips Holidays and Travel Tips Looking after your insulin Going on holiday if you have diabetes means that you have to take a few extra precautions, especially if you are travelling overseas. Here are some tips to help you – ones that we have learnt by experience: Travelling overseas probably means that your insulin will not be kept in a refrigerator for days orven weeks. Exposing insulin to high temperatures makes the insulin weaker and so it does not act as efficiently. If a refrigerator is not available try to store the insulin in a cool dark place. Carry your insulin in a polystyrene container or a small wide necked vacuum flask. There are also containers available with a cooling system of plastic containers filled with liquid that can be pre-cooled in your refrigerator. Do not pre-cool to the low temperature of a deep freeze because freezing can destroy the insulin. See details of FRIO Wallets at the end of this article. If travelling by air, make sure that your insulin is in your hand luggage in the cabin with you. The luggage hold of the aeroplane will go below freezing because of the high altitude and this will destroy or damage your insulin. If so, carry two lots of insulin, testing equipment and syringes/pens and distribute them between two different hand luggage bags. You could give one set to your travelling companion. Luggage does frequently get lost and it could prove difficult to replace your insulin or syringes/pens. FRIO Wallets – keep your insulin cool In the UK this device came on the market in 1999 and it is designed to keep your insulin cool and safe for a minimum of 45 hours, even in temperatures of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on what country you are in, they have stayed Continue reading >>
Everything You Need To Know About Traveling With Diabetes
Having diabetes does not mean you should be within the confines of your home. By doing some smart planning and thorough preparation, you can go anywhere whether it is a camping excursion, a cross-country train adventure, a relaxing cruise, or a trip to various countries. Although vacations can be fun and rewarding, you have to be aware that traveling can be stressful to your body as you stray away from your daily routine and diet plan. At the same time, foreign surrounding may also put your psychological well-being into an anxious state. All these changes can contribute to a fluctuation in your blood glucose level. To help you prepare for your upcoming trip, whether by car, air or boat, we have compiled an ultimate guide of useful information to educate you better on various topics concerning traveling with diabetes: Is it Safe to Travel as a Person with Diabetes? “Is it safe to travel?” is the first question you should ask yourself and your doctor before you start to think of planning a trip. To avoid unexpected health issues that could possibly arise during your journey, you should consider going for a medical examination to ensure your diabetes is in stable condition and you are physically well to travel. It is important for you to ask your doctor whether you are fit to travel in your current condition as it can play a crucial role when purchasing your itinerary as well as your travel and health insurance. You should always request that your doctor put his professional opinion in writing so that if you need to cancel your trip as a result of sudden health emergency situation, you have the doctor’s letter as a proof of evidence and get compensation for any incurred loss from your insurance company. For more diabetes related information: Aside from the profession Continue reading >>
Using The Calculator
The William Sansum Diabetes Center was founded in 1944 by Dr. William Sansum, the first physician in the United States to administer insulin to a person with diabetes. Our mission is the prevention, treatment, and cure of diabetes. www.diabetestravel.org was created in August 2015 as a free online resource for the diabetes community. Before setting off, we will walk you through the travel process with diabetes considerations in mindwhat to pack, letters for travel, airport security, beach day advice and more! Dr. David Kerr MD is the Director of Research and Innovation at the William Sansum Diabetes Center in Santa Barbara, California. Dr. Kerr has decades of experience in the field of diabetes treatment and care, previously working as a Consultant Physician at the Bournemouth Diabetes and Endocrine Centre in the UK. www.diabetestravel.org is the second online resource he has created, www.excarbs.com is a sister site which focuses on exercise and insulin. Jenny Martinez is a Project Coordinator with the William Sansum Diabetes Center. She is a graduate of Westmont College and specializes for the Center on programs related to community behavioural change as well as diabetes and international travel. The development of this website was supported by the Mosher Foundation. We are committed to supporting travellers with diabetes around the globe. Contact us to share any questions you have, or suggestions to make the site more helpful! Continue reading >>
Diabetes And Travel -- 10 Tips For A Safe Trip
If you have diabetes, preparing for even daily activities can require advanced planning. So how do you prepare for travel, which can disrupt your diabetes care routine? Here are 10 tips for traveling when you have diabetes. #1 -- Keep your supplies close at hand. Whether you’re traveling by plane, train, or automobile, make sure your diabetes supplies are easily accessible. If you’re flying, be sure to put all of your supplies in your carry-on bags. Back-up insulin should also be kept in your carry-on, because checked baggage can be exposed to extreme cold or heat that can spoil insulin, and ruin glucometers. If you're using a device to keep your insulin cool, be sure it is a cold pack, and not a freezer pack--freezing insulin destroys its efficacy. The same rules apply for storing supplies while driving or on a train. #2 – Try to stick to your routine. Traveling can really throw people with diabetes off schedule, and at no fault of their own. The delay of a flight may mean sitting on the runway for hours, or if you’re traveling out of your time zone, it may mean feeling hungry when you should be asleep. When you have diabetes, you need to think ahead and stick to your routine as much as possible. If you pack extra snacks for the plane, you may want to store them in an insulated bag with an ice pack. Tracey Lucier, Nutrition Educator at Joslin Diabetes Center, also recommends writing your seat number on the bag and asking a member of the cabin crew to store it a refrigerated trolley. For a list of snacks that don’t need a cooler for storage, check out the list at right. #3 -- Get documentation. Carry a note from your doctor stating that you have diabetes, and need to have your medication with you at all times. If you’re going to a country where they speak a Continue reading >>
How To Get Through Tsa With These 5 Diabetes Devices
Whether it is for business or pleasure, you have to pass through security before boarding your flight. The TSA allows for diabetes-related supplies, equipment and medication—including liquids—through the checkpoint once they have been properly screened by X-ray or hand inspection. If possible, pack all your supplies together in your carry-on bag so you have everything on hand. Before your screening begins, inform the officer conducting the screening about any supplies on you or in your carry-on. Here’s how you can fly through TSA with these 5 diabetes devices! 1. Insulin Pump/Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) Taking an insulin pump through airport security is quite common, but it’s always a good idea to carry the Airport Information Card when traveling. You may go through the airport metal detector with your insulin pump and CGM, as these devices are designed to withstand common electromagnetic interference. However, we do not recommend going through an airport body scanner with your pump and CGM, as Medtronic has not determined advanced imaging technology to be safe for insulin pump or CGM devices. If you do go through an airport body scanner, be sure to remove your insulin pump and CGM, but do not send your devices through the x-ray machine as an alternative. If you do not wish to remove your devices, explain to the officer that you cannot remove the insulin pump as it is under your skin with a needle, and request an alternative pat-down screening process. 2. Insulin Delivery Devices Be sure to have proof a physician prescribed your insulin and needles by providing a professional, pre-printed pharmaceutical label identifying the medication. Travel with your original insulin box and glucose meter that shows the pharmaceutical label. You will need these items in Continue reading >>
