Travelling with diabetes

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 supplies because some airlines and some countries require you to. Syringes and needles in particular can present a problem when flying and when entering some countries.