4 Travel Tips For People With Diabetes

Posted on by Jordan Soblick

After more than a year of lockdown and quarantine and visiting people through computer screens, folks are itching to travel again. With the end of the COVID-19 pandemic seemingly in sight, people are making plans to get in cars and hop on planes to visit beaches, mountains, distant cities, or far-flung loved ones.

And if you are one of these people and have diabetes, your travel plans need to include managing your diabetes as thoughtfully and vigilantly as you do at home. That requires preparation, ensuring that you have the items and resources you need to keep your condition in check and address any issues that may arise during your trip.

So, as you pack your bags for your first big adventure in a while, also pack away these four travel tips for people with diabetes

#1: Talk To Your Doctor Before Your Trip

To make sure you are healthy enough to travel, schedule an examination with your physician before you are supposed to leave. Also, make sure you are current on all immunizations (this, of course, includes your COVID-19 shots) and get them several weeks prior to departure to let any side effects pass and ensure that they are at full efficacy.

Also ask your physician for a letter that contains the following information:

  • How you treat your diabetes (e.g., diabetes pills, insulin shots)
  • All medicines and equipment needed to manage your diabetes (for example, insulin, syringes, and other drugs or devices)
  • Allergies to foods or medicine

#2: Pack Once, But Pack Twice As Much

You don’t want to run short on anything you need to manage your diabetes, so try to pack twice as much as you need. If you are checking luggage or otherwise will be separated from your belongings for a while, make sure you keep what you need or half of what you’re bringing in a carry-on bag or with you at all times.

Your packing should include:

  • All the insulin and syringes you need for your journey, plus some extras
  • Blood- and urine-testing supplies; including extra batteries for your glucose meter or other devices
  • All oral medications
  • Other medicines or medical supplies
  • Your ID and diabetes identification card
  • A tightly wrapped, airtight snack pack of crackers or cheese, fruit, peanut butter, juice, and some form of sugar (such as hard candy or glucose tablets) to treat low blood sugar

#3: Store Your Insulin Properly

You don’t need to refrigerate insulin, but you also need to avoid storing it in extremely hot or cold temperatures. That means if you’re traveling where it’s very warm, you should avoid keeping a lot of insulin in a backpack or car. You can purchase an insulated travel pack to keep your insulin supply cool.

#4: Adjust or Increase the Frequency of Blood Sugar Level Checks

Activities, diet, and routines all get disrupted when you travel. While these changes are all usually welcome parts of being on vacation, they can wreak havoc on your diabetes if you’re not careful.

Long days of exertion while seeing the sights or lazy afternoons by the poolside in the hot sun can quickly increase your blood glucose levels. If you traveled far from home, changes in time zones can further throw off your normal blood sugar rhythms. All of this means you need to be even more vigilant about checking your blood glucose levels than you are at home.

Be prepared to check your levels more frequently or at different times of day than you usually would.

Fortunately for many people with diabetes, their relaxing vacation no longer needs to be interrupted with the inconvenience of finger-pricking. Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) is a tested, approved, and easy-to-use transceiver device that helps those with diabetes stay in control of their condition and their lives without the need for inconvenient and burdensome finger-pricking multiple times a day. Small and compact, CGM makes for a perfect travel companion. Before you set sail on your next trip. ask your doctor about CGM and contact us today to see if you qualify for CGM and access our guide to continuous glucose monitoring.

CALL US TO QUALIFY NOW

If you are not insured, or have a high deductible health insurance plan, you can still purchase the Freestyle Libre Reader and Sensors at extremely competitive prices. Prices starting as low as $99 per month

1-888-308-0094

*Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings when you suspect readings may be in accurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

Reference 1: Data on file. Abbott Diabetes Care. 2, FreeStyle Libre 14 day User’s Manual

Indications and Important Safety Information

FreeStyle Libre and FreeStyle Libre 14 day Flash Glucose Monitoring systems are continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices indicated for replacing blood glucose testing and detecting trends and tracking patterns aiding in the detection of episodes of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, facilitating both acute and long-term therapy adjustments in persons (age 18 and older) with diabetes. The systems are intended for single patient use and require a prescription.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Remove the sensor before MRI, CT scan, X-ray, or diathermy treatment.

WARNINGS/LIMITATIONS: Do not ignore symptoms that may be due to low or high blood glucose, hypoglycemic unawareness, or dehydration. Check sensor glucose readings with a blood glucose meter when Check Blood Glucose symbol appears, when symptoms do not match system readings, or when readings are suspected to be inaccurate. The system does not have alarms unless the sensor is scanned, and the system contains small parts that may be dangerous if swallowed. The system is not approved for pregnant women, persons on dialysis, or critically-ill population. Sensor placement is not approved for sites other than the back of the arm and standard precautions for transmission of blood borne pathogens should be taken. The built-in blood glucose meter is not for use on dehydrated, hypotensive, in shock, hyperglycemic-hyperosmolar state, with or without ketosis, neonates, critically-ill patients, or for diagnosis or screening of diabetes. When using FreeStyle LibreLink app, access to a blood glucose monitoring system is required as the app does not provide one. Review all product information before use or contact Abbott Toll Free (855-632-8658) or visit www.freestylelibre.us for detailed indications for use and safety information.html. . FreeStyle, Libre, and related brand marks are trademarks of Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. in various jurisdictions. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2018 Abbott. ADC-09691 vLO 10/18

*The FreeStyle LibreLink app and the FreeStyle Libre 14 day reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings, when you suspect readings may be inaccurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

The FreeStyle Libre 2 app and the FreeStyle Libre 2 reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol and when your glucose alarms and readings from the system do not match symptoms or expectations

‡‡‡Based on the sensor being replaced once every 14 days, and scanned at least once every 8 hours.

§§§Glucose readings are not available during 1-hour warm-up, when sensor is too hot or too cold, when you see an error or "LO" or "HI" message, or no current glucose reading