Traveling tips for diabetics

Diabetes should not prevent people able to control their blood sugars by diet or treatment from traveling, but depending on a traveler's condition and itinerary, it will necessitate planning and special vigilance.

Your doctor should be able to offer advice whether you're fit enough for the trip and, depending on the circumstances of your medical needs and itinerary, provide instructions on how to deal with any special issues. At a minimum, travel will entail adjusting your regular routines and treatment schedules to changing mealtimes, menu choices and time zones.

For example, flying eastward makes for a shorter day and may dictate taking medicine in smaller does or less frequently; flying westward may mean the opposite. The longer you'll be traveling at one stretch, the more significant the adjustment you'll have to make. One tip: to keep track of shots and meals across changing time zones, keep your watch set to your home time until the morning after you arrive.

Another issue might be whether you will be getting more exercise -- or less -- than normal while away. Both changes can affect your blood sugar levels.

The scarcity of in-flight food these days can be another problem. In the old days, travelers could request a diabetic meal when they made their flight reservations. Now staying fueled in flight may mean making sure to take sufficient snacks or a glucose source to alleviate a sugar plunge en route.

In any case, taking sufficient medicine for your trip is a concern.

Although patients with valid prescriptions for diabetic treatments can usually get resupplied at drugstores across North America, that's not always true in other countries, where even branded products can have different potencies.

This uncertainty is the primary reason experts advise diabetic travelers to take along twice as much of their normal prescriptions and supplies (syringes, test strips, etc.) as they'd normally use during the time they expect to be away.

But how to transport those supplies?

With the high rate of lost luggage these days, it's certainly not wise to pack all of your medicine in one basket. That means taking at least half of your supplies in carry-on bags.

Fortunately, the new security regulations limit neither the amount nor volume of necessary medical items (including syringes, used and unused) you can take in your carry-on bags. But if medical liquids or gels exceed 3 ounces or do not fit a one-quart, zip-top plastic bag, they must be declared to the TSA agent before the inspection begins. To avoid having them sent through the X-ray scanner, request a visual inspection.

Be prepared to document your medical need. In addition to the label on the prescription bottle, take a letter from your doctor detailing your prescription and supplies. That will both provide proof to skeptical security or customs agents, and be necessary to obtain replacements en route. It's also wise to wear an insulin ID tag.

Then there's the necessity of keeping that medicine at the proper temperature during the trip. While insulin does not need to be refrigerated, it should be protected from both intense heat and cold. So if you're packing vials into checked luggage, store them in an insulated case.

Regularly checking your blood sugar levels is as important when traveling as at home. Take a reading as soon as possible after arriving, but remember that jet lag can make it difficult to tell if your glucose is high or low.

Know that no matter what kind of diabetes you have, watch what you eat and drink while traveling. Be especially aware of water, because gastrointestinal upsets such as diarrhea or constipation can play havoc with glucose levels.

Finally, because foot problems can be especially troublesome for diabetics, avoid going barefoot. Wear comfortable shoes and check daily for blisters, cuts, redness and scratches. At the first sign of infection or inflammation, get medical attention.