Do you remember the last time you've travelled for a week long
vacation? You spent so much time scouting for a drugstore for a re-fill
of your anti-diabetic medications instead of having fun in the sun.
You've promised yourself this won't happen again. In a couple of months,
you'll travel to the Caribbean for a week long vacation. What to do?
Experts say planning ahead for that travel is a must especially for diabetics. Here are practical tips to remember:
1. Plan a month or more ahead. Make out a list of your diabetic medications such as insulin and oral hypoglycemic drugs; other diabetic supplies like syringes, cotton swabs, glucometer and test strips; other medications that may include neuropathy medications, hypertensive medications and supplements; glucose tablets; and other necessities. It's important to note that diabetic medications and supplies might not always be available at your destination especially if you travel out of the country. What's more, it prevents the hassle of looking for a pharmacy when what you'd want to do is to have fun.
2. Bring at least twice as much medications and diabetic supplies as you need. This should include not only insulin or syringes but all other oral medications you usually take. You'd be safe in case some of your supplies get damaged or if you decide to stay for a longer time or an emergency occurs which can delay your trip back home.
3. Start packing, checking thoroughly that all items are safely packed.
4. Pack your medications in a portable and light insulin carry-on bag. This should include a gel cooler to cool your insulin. There are many insulin carrier packs that provide a cooling gel that can last up to 6 or 12 hours. The gel or coolant can be re-frozen and you can use it while you go on your tours, sight-seeing trips or at the beach.
Include a waste disposal unit for your used needles. Pack all your medications and supplies in this carry-on bag such as gabapentin, metformin or any oral medications you're taking, your glucose tablets, your glucometer and test strips, alcohol swabs and the like. This will prevent you from searching your other bags for your supplies. Don't have this carry-on bag checked in with your luggage. It might get lost. Consider it as a life link and always keep an eye on it.
Be sure that you don't put that carry-on bag in a hot car or where it is overly hot. At the airport, the TSA can let you wear your pump and bring in your insulin carry-on bag so long as you have insulin with your syringes.
If you travel to other countries, show your medical certificate.
5. When booking for a hotel, request for a room with a refrigerator. Some hotels allocate a refrigerator for medications.
6. Get to know your destination. What's the weather like? What about the time zone? Are pharmacies or drug outlets easily accessible? If you're travelling to a tropical beach or to visit a pilot farm in a rural setting or spend most of your time at a conference drugstores may be out of sight. You should pack enough medications as discussed in tip number 2.
7. Adjust your medication schedule to the time zone of your travel destination. Ask help from your doctor or diabetic counselor if you can't figure this out.
8. Visit and inform your doctor or endocrinologist that you'll be travelling. Request for a prescription of your medications in case they get lost or damaged. It would be wise to request a medical certificate or a letter from your doctor saying that you're a diabetic and specifying your medications, when you have to take them and the dosage each day. This is especially important if you're taking insulin through needle, pen or pump. The medical certificate will explain it all.
9. Don't forget your diet. It's important to eat meals at regular schedules as every diabetic should know. It's difficult searching for healthy snacks and meals when you travel. Airports or rest stops usually have limited selections. Pack your own healthy food. You'll save time searching for restaurants that serve healthy diabetic foods. If travel time disrupts your meal schedule just bring out your healthy snack to cover meals you've missed.
10. For overseas travel or cross country trips, it's advisable to travel with a companion. If this isn't possible, inform your family members and doctor about your destination and the duration. Get your doctor's phone number. If you'd need to see a health care provider in case of any emergency, they can call your doctor.
11. Wear a diabetic identification bracelet or necklace.
12. Update your travel insurance and include that you're diabetic.
13. Take good care of your feet. Wear comfortable diabetic shoes and socks. Inspect your feet every day.
Slight blisters and scratches can develop into serious infections. Experts say that you shouldn't go barefoot on the beach. Broken shells and small sharp stones can cut your soles. When you're at the airplane or bus that entails long periods of sitting, stretch and flex your feet every now and then. Take walks in the aisle.
Always bring with you an extra pair of comfortable shoes and socks when sightseeing and taking hikes.
Closed shoes instead of sandals are much better to protect your feet from incidental cuts.
14. Enjoy but don't overdo yourself. Be sure to check your blood glucose levels regularly. Don't forget to eat your snacks and meals at regular times. If you aren't used to strenuous activity apart from you daily exercise regimen you can have complications of hypoglycemia. Take a good night's rest every night. If you visit bars, take it easy with the alcohol.
Being a diabetic doesn't mean you can't travel. These tips can make your travel amazingly stress-free. Have fun and come home happy and safe!
Experts say planning ahead for that travel is a must especially for diabetics. Here are practical tips to remember:
1. Plan a month or more ahead. Make out a list of your diabetic medications such as insulin and oral hypoglycemic drugs; other diabetic supplies like syringes, cotton swabs, glucometer and test strips; other medications that may include neuropathy medications, hypertensive medications and supplements; glucose tablets; and other necessities. It's important to note that diabetic medications and supplies might not always be available at your destination especially if you travel out of the country. What's more, it prevents the hassle of looking for a pharmacy when what you'd want to do is to have fun.
2. Bring at least twice as much medications and diabetic supplies as you need. This should include not only insulin or syringes but all other oral medications you usually take. You'd be safe in case some of your supplies get damaged or if you decide to stay for a longer time or an emergency occurs which can delay your trip back home.
3. Start packing, checking thoroughly that all items are safely packed.
4. Pack your medications in a portable and light insulin carry-on bag. This should include a gel cooler to cool your insulin. There are many insulin carrier packs that provide a cooling gel that can last up to 6 or 12 hours. The gel or coolant can be re-frozen and you can use it while you go on your tours, sight-seeing trips or at the beach.
Include a waste disposal unit for your used needles. Pack all your medications and supplies in this carry-on bag such as gabapentin, metformin or any oral medications you're taking, your glucose tablets, your glucometer and test strips, alcohol swabs and the like. This will prevent you from searching your other bags for your supplies. Don't have this carry-on bag checked in with your luggage. It might get lost. Consider it as a life link and always keep an eye on it.
Be sure that you don't put that carry-on bag in a hot car or where it is overly hot. At the airport, the TSA can let you wear your pump and bring in your insulin carry-on bag so long as you have insulin with your syringes.
If you travel to other countries, show your medical certificate.
5. When booking for a hotel, request for a room with a refrigerator. Some hotels allocate a refrigerator for medications.
6. Get to know your destination. What's the weather like? What about the time zone? Are pharmacies or drug outlets easily accessible? If you're travelling to a tropical beach or to visit a pilot farm in a rural setting or spend most of your time at a conference drugstores may be out of sight. You should pack enough medications as discussed in tip number 2.
7. Adjust your medication schedule to the time zone of your travel destination. Ask help from your doctor or diabetic counselor if you can't figure this out.
8. Visit and inform your doctor or endocrinologist that you'll be travelling. Request for a prescription of your medications in case they get lost or damaged. It would be wise to request a medical certificate or a letter from your doctor saying that you're a diabetic and specifying your medications, when you have to take them and the dosage each day. This is especially important if you're taking insulin through needle, pen or pump. The medical certificate will explain it all.
9. Don't forget your diet. It's important to eat meals at regular schedules as every diabetic should know. It's difficult searching for healthy snacks and meals when you travel. Airports or rest stops usually have limited selections. Pack your own healthy food. You'll save time searching for restaurants that serve healthy diabetic foods. If travel time disrupts your meal schedule just bring out your healthy snack to cover meals you've missed.
10. For overseas travel or cross country trips, it's advisable to travel with a companion. If this isn't possible, inform your family members and doctor about your destination and the duration. Get your doctor's phone number. If you'd need to see a health care provider in case of any emergency, they can call your doctor.
11. Wear a diabetic identification bracelet or necklace.
12. Update your travel insurance and include that you're diabetic.
13. Take good care of your feet. Wear comfortable diabetic shoes and socks. Inspect your feet every day.
Slight blisters and scratches can develop into serious infections. Experts say that you shouldn't go barefoot on the beach. Broken shells and small sharp stones can cut your soles. When you're at the airplane or bus that entails long periods of sitting, stretch and flex your feet every now and then. Take walks in the aisle.
Always bring with you an extra pair of comfortable shoes and socks when sightseeing and taking hikes.
Closed shoes instead of sandals are much better to protect your feet from incidental cuts.
14. Enjoy but don't overdo yourself. Be sure to check your blood glucose levels regularly. Don't forget to eat your snacks and meals at regular times. If you aren't used to strenuous activity apart from you daily exercise regimen you can have complications of hypoglycemia. Take a good night's rest every night. If you visit bars, take it easy with the alcohol.
Being a diabetic doesn't mean you can't travel. These tips can make your travel amazingly stress-free. Have fun and come home happy and safe!
A B Stephens is a chemical engineer by profession. Her passion to
help diabetics stems from the fact that members of her family and her
husband's family are diabetics. They launched http://www.typefreediabetes.com
in 2007 - a one-stop shop for people who have diabetes - a lifestyle
store complete with whatever a diabetic would need to live his/her life
to the fullest! A diabetic's lifestyle includes the daily use of
insulin, needles, syringes, alcohol swabs, glucometer and strips.
Insulin accessories are essential especially when you'd want to have an
amazingly stress free travel. Organize your insulin supplies and most
importantly keep your insulin cool and potent. These accessories are
very useful for traveling whether for pleasure or business. Here's a
site where you that can choose the most helpful accessories for your
diabetic lifestyle. http://www.typefreediabetes.com/Insulin-Accessories-s/25.htm
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=A_B_Stephens
Especially if we suffer of a disease, a health insurance is really important. Everything can happen and better to be prepared and covered up, than facing who knows what kind of problems.
ReplyDeletePrevention is everything nowadays... we must take care of what we choose.