Why is it important to plan ahead for travel?

If you have diabetes, managing your blood sugar can take time and attention every day. This might include:

• Checking your blood sugar often

• Using insulin or other medicines to keep your blood sugar levels in the right range

Travel can disrupt your normal routine, so it is important to plan ahead. Changes in your time zone, eating patterns, and activity level can all affect how you manage your blood sugar. 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 medicine doses 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 for packing diabetes supplies

• 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 an eating plan for your trip

What should I bring with me when I travel?

In general, it is 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 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 and water – 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. Drinking plenty of water during travel can help keep your blood sugar at goal.

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

What should I do when I am traveling?

It 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 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 can 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 and can help keep your blood sugar more stable.

• Plan for time zone changes – If you take insulin and travel to a different time zone, you need to adjust the timing of your insulin doses. How to do this depends 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 need to change it to reflect the local time.

• Check your blood sugar regularly – Traveling can affect your blood sugar. Checking your levels regularly can help you plan for meals and physical activity. If you take insulin, checking your blood sugar also helps make sure you are giving the right amount of insulin with meals.

• Continue to follow your eating plan – This can be hard when you are away from home. But it is important to continue to be careful about what you eat and when. This helps you keep your blood sugar in the goal 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 is 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 with a fingerstick or giving an insulin dose.

• Locate pharmacies and clinics in the area – It is a good idea to know where these are just in case.

What else should I know?

Make sure you know how to contact your doctor or nurse in case you have a question while you are traveling.

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

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