Travel Tips For The Wise
Robin Brain
November 22, 2008
Vacations and business travel can present some unique control challenges and safety issues. Don't travel completely alone unless you have to. In case of an emergency, a trusted friend, spouse, or companion will be invaluable, particularly if you're in a foreign country. If you're a free spirit and like to fly solo, make sure you always carry your basic medical information on your person, and wear your medical ID prominently.
Leisure Travelers
How many times have you returned from a vacation to feel more exhausted and burned out than before you left? Try to lose the "hurry up and have fun-we're paying for this!" attitude and take a trip that involves actual rest and relaxation. If you're traveling for leisure, try to throw strict schedules (except for those involving food and medication) out the window: Stress can drive your blood glucose levels up and put a damper on your fun. Don't overpIan your days, leave room for flexibility, and enjoy just being in a new environment or culture.
Business Travelers
Travel for business may throw some unexpected restrictions into your routine. A meeting with a client or an all day workshop, and suddenly you find yourself behind schedule and going low. You can't work effectively if you don't take care of yourself, so excuse yourself if things run longer than expected. In fact, the best approach is probably to mention a departure time as soon as your meeting begins, and stick to it. If you feel uncomfortable mentioning that you need a time-out to eat or take medication due to your diabetes, then tell your client or colleague you have a dinner or lunch meeting to make . You can also continue your business over a meal if you feel comfortable doing so.
Air Travel and Medical Devices
In the last few years, air travel security measures have changed significantly in the United States and abroad. Because having diabetes necessitates traveling with medical sharps, there are some extra steps you may need to take to ensure you have easy access to your insulin and testing supplies while flying.
Insulin. Keep all original packaging and paperwork that come with your insulin so you can present the original printed pharmaceutical label for the medication at the airport security checkpoint. The same applies for Glucagon kits. Syringes will be allowed past security only if the accompanying medication is properly labeled.
Meters. The FAA will allow glucose meters and lancets in suitcases or carry on baggage as long as meters are clearly marked with the manufacturer and/ or brand name. Lancets should be capped and properly stored with the meter.
Pumps. If you wear an insulin pump, inform airport security personnel and request that they visually inspect it rather than removing it. Again, have insulin documentation with you. If screeners insist you remove your insulin pump, ask to speak with a security checkpoint supervisor.
Allow plenty of extra time for getting through airport security. You may want to plan on an extra thirty to sixty minutes in addition to whatever your airline is advising for advance arrival time. This will give you breathing room if airport personnel need to check out your medical supplies. And always call the airline you'll be traveling with first to find out their specific security policies for the flight itself. If you have problems with improper treatment or discrimination when traveling by air, call the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) hotline at 1 866 289 9673. Complaints may be filed in writing with the Department of Transportation's Office of Civil Aviation Security: Office of Civil Aviation Security , 800 Independence Ave., S.w., Room 1030, Washington, DC 20591. You can also contact the American Diabetes Association for assistance at 703-549 1500, ext. 2108. The ADA works with the FAA and TSA on an ongoing basis to improve diabetes awareness among airport security personnel.
Adjusting Insulin And Time Zones
International travel requires some extra planning, particularly if you take insulin. In addition to the usual jet lag, you have to keep on schedule with your medication. In general, the easiest and most practical approach is to take insulin on track with meals in the "new" time zone you're traveling in (or are en route to). However, you should always consult your doctor about appropriate adjustments to insulin and medication before you travel, as his advice may vary based on the type of insulin you take, the distance you are traveling, and other factors specific to your situation.
Staying WeD Abroad
To stay healthy and safe while traveling in a foreign country, you should make sure you can communicate your needs adequately and are well supplied for the journey. Some tips:
Get your shots. Before you go, make sure any required immunizations are up to date.
Learn the language. If you don't speak the native tongue, make sure you have a guidebook to help you with basic medical phrases like "I need a doctor" and "I have diabetes."
Have your papers in order. Keep your doctor's name and phone number along with your written insulin schedule on you at all times, and, as always, wear your medical identification.
Drink water. If the water is questionable, drink bottled (and hold the ice in any canned and bottled beverages you order) to avoid diarrhea or more serious illnesses.
Keep a food supply. Make sure you have a stash of nonperishable snacks like peanut butter and crackers, canned fruit juice, raisins, dried apricots, nutrition bars, and other foods that keep well and will serve as a mini-meal should your plans be interrupted.
Leisure Travelers
How many times have you returned from a vacation to feel more exhausted and burned out than before you left? Try to lose the "hurry up and have fun-we're paying for this!" attitude and take a trip that involves actual rest and relaxation. If you're traveling for leisure, try to throw strict schedules (except for those involving food and medication) out the window: Stress can drive your blood glucose levels up and put a damper on your fun. Don't overpIan your days, leave room for flexibility, and enjoy just being in a new environment or culture.
Business Travelers
Travel for business may throw some unexpected restrictions into your routine. A meeting with a client or an all day workshop, and suddenly you find yourself behind schedule and going low. You can't work effectively if you don't take care of yourself, so excuse yourself if things run longer than expected. In fact, the best approach is probably to mention a departure time as soon as your meeting begins, and stick to it. If you feel uncomfortable mentioning that you need a time-out to eat or take medication due to your diabetes, then tell your client or colleague you have a dinner or lunch meeting to make . You can also continue your business over a meal if you feel comfortable doing so.
Air Travel and Medical Devices
In the last few years, air travel security measures have changed significantly in the United States and abroad. Because having diabetes necessitates traveling with medical sharps, there are some extra steps you may need to take to ensure you have easy access to your insulin and testing supplies while flying.
Insulin. Keep all original packaging and paperwork that come with your insulin so you can present the original printed pharmaceutical label for the medication at the airport security checkpoint. The same applies for Glucagon kits. Syringes will be allowed past security only if the accompanying medication is properly labeled.
Meters. The FAA will allow glucose meters and lancets in suitcases or carry on baggage as long as meters are clearly marked with the manufacturer and/ or brand name. Lancets should be capped and properly stored with the meter.
Pumps. If you wear an insulin pump, inform airport security personnel and request that they visually inspect it rather than removing it. Again, have insulin documentation with you. If screeners insist you remove your insulin pump, ask to speak with a security checkpoint supervisor.
Allow plenty of extra time for getting through airport security. You may want to plan on an extra thirty to sixty minutes in addition to whatever your airline is advising for advance arrival time. This will give you breathing room if airport personnel need to check out your medical supplies. And always call the airline you'll be traveling with first to find out their specific security policies for the flight itself. If you have problems with improper treatment or discrimination when traveling by air, call the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) hotline at 1 866 289 9673. Complaints may be filed in writing with the Department of Transportation's Office of Civil Aviation Security: Office of Civil Aviation Security , 800 Independence Ave., S.w., Room 1030, Washington, DC 20591. You can also contact the American Diabetes Association for assistance at 703-549 1500, ext. 2108. The ADA works with the FAA and TSA on an ongoing basis to improve diabetes awareness among airport security personnel.
Adjusting Insulin And Time Zones
International travel requires some extra planning, particularly if you take insulin. In addition to the usual jet lag, you have to keep on schedule with your medication. In general, the easiest and most practical approach is to take insulin on track with meals in the "new" time zone you're traveling in (or are en route to). However, you should always consult your doctor about appropriate adjustments to insulin and medication before you travel, as his advice may vary based on the type of insulin you take, the distance you are traveling, and other factors specific to your situation.
Staying WeD Abroad
To stay healthy and safe while traveling in a foreign country, you should make sure you can communicate your needs adequately and are well supplied for the journey. Some tips:
Get your shots. Before you go, make sure any required immunizations are up to date.
Learn the language. If you don't speak the native tongue, make sure you have a guidebook to help you with basic medical phrases like "I need a doctor" and "I have diabetes."
Have your papers in order. Keep your doctor's name and phone number along with your written insulin schedule on you at all times, and, as always, wear your medical identification.
Drink water. If the water is questionable, drink bottled (and hold the ice in any canned and bottled beverages you order) to avoid diarrhea or more serious illnesses.
Keep a food supply. Make sure you have a stash of nonperishable snacks like peanut butter and crackers, canned fruit juice, raisins, dried apricots, nutrition bars, and other foods that keep well and will serve as a mini-meal should your plans be interrupted.
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