7 Travel Tips For Diabetics

P lanning ahead when you           medication by packing it in your   travel reduces stress. This     main luggage.                      is particularly important                                          for a diabetic. These 7 diabetes      4) Keep your medication in its     travel tips are simple to             original box, complete with        implement and crucial to your         pharmacy labels. It will prevent   diabetic management. They are         misunderstandings about why you    particularly important if you are     are carrying drugs and, if you     traveling abroad.                     are on insulin, syringes.                                                                                   1) Have a pre-travel check-up.        5) Have an emergency supply of     Make sure your A1C blood sugar        snacks, glucose tablets or fruit   levels; your blood pressure and       juice in case your blood sugar     your cholesterol levels are OK.       drops and you start to experience  Get the appropriate shots for any     a hypoglycemic state. Keep these,  country you plan to visit.            and your medication, by you - not                                        in the overhead locker.            2) Wear a diabetes medical ID.                                           Ideally it should be in the           6) Be aware of time zone changes,  language spoken in the country        especially when altering your      you're visiting. Not everyone         watch. Remember when you travel    speaks your language and you          east your day becomes shorter; if  don't want medical problems           you travel west your day becomes   through misunderstandings.            longer. You may need to alter the                                        timings of your medication.        3) Keep your medication and                                              glucose snacks in your                7) Don't be shy about telling the  hand-luggage. Check-in baggage        travel attendant you are a         does, unfortunately, go astray.       diabetic. They need to know.       Don't risk your diabetes                                                 If your blood sugar levels drop       boost. This is even more           you may act irrationally, which       important if you are traveling     can sometimes be mistaken for         alone.                             drunkenness.                                                                                                   Traveling need not be traumatic.   Your travel attendant needs to        A sensible attitude and a bit of   know that your actions are due to     pre-travel planning can make       your diabetes - not because of        things go far more smoothly.       drinking - and you need a glucose      About the Author: Carol Ann created http://www.your-diabetes.com to present information on diabetes from a diabetic's viewpoint. Discover more about diabetes; symptoms; living with it; other important health issues. Read inspiring stories from other diabetics; share your experience (or favorite recipes in a monthly prize draw). [© 2006 Carol Ann Bentley] Source: www.isnare.com