It doesn’t matter if you travel for business or pleasure, the fact is travel is frustrating sometimes. If you happen to be a diabetic, it is even more frustrating. But there are ways to make things easier on yourself. Sometimes it is a matter of thinking about things ahead of time. It just takes some planning for the unexpected. When you have done this once, you can save most of it for future trips. You will find a “trip backpack” is a perfect item to keep in the coat closet if you have a diabetic child. Use the following tips to make your travel easier. 

We are going to give you 12 tips that will help you get through your trip with fewer diabetic interruptions, and less stress to ruin your travel. 

Travel Tips For Diabetics

• Tell your doctor about your trip and have him note it in your file. If you are going to be traveling across the country or actually leaving the country, email your itinerary to his office for your file. If he gets a call from another state about your health he will not question it based on location.

• Verify there are places to get your medications where you are going. If you are going to a village that doesn’t have a drug store or they do not carry your medication, inquire about getting an early refill to take with you.

• Keep your blood glucose meter and supplies in your carry-on. Remember, most airports will only let you pass with needles if you have a bottle of insulin too. You can get the Contour Next USB Meter free from Ascensia Diabetes Co. right now. Ascensia is an industry leader in the field of diabetes. The Contour Next USB Meter is state-of-the-art. Get one. Then you can keep a meter in your carry-on and leave on in your luggage.

• Wear medical identification that identifies you as a diabetic. This can be jewelry worn around the neck or on the arm or an id card worn in your wallet.

• Be sure you have a copy of all of your prescriptions. This is required by the airlines, but it also comes in handy if you are hurt or injured away from home.

• Take a couple of your doctor’s business cards with you. Keep one in your luggage and one in your wallet. If you are hurt and cannot communicate, the medical professionals will know who to contact.

• Take an extra week's worth of supplies with you. If something happens to change your return date, you need to have enough with you.

• Always have candy, mints, or fast-acting glucose tablets with you. This is for when your blood sugar is crashing. If you want to use juice, a child's juice box, they fit nicely into a handbag or backpack.

• Take two pairs of comfortable (well-broke in) shoes. Your feet are prone to get damaged. You do not want blisters

• Never go barefoot or wear sandals or flip-flops. Do not go barefoot or wear these toe-exposing shoes anywhere. Your feet are too easily damaged and often they will not heal.

• Check your feet daily for sores, blisters, cysts, and scrapes. If you find anything, clean it and take care of it as you would if you were home. Do not ignore these. Feet blisters can become serious, fast.

• Do not wait until it is meal time to start looking for a place to eat. Look up restaurants on the internet before you go. If you forget to do that, start looking about an hour before your normal.

Bonus Tip: You never know when something can interrupt you. Candy will help you with a fast drop, but it will not steady you if you can’t get to your meal soon. You should always have your emergency mini-meal on hand. It includes 1-package of peanut butter and crackers (or cheese and crackers if you have a peanut allergy) 1-juice box, and ½ apple sliced (or an applesauce tube). All of these things will fit in your bag or briefcase, and this will gradually bring your blood sugar up to a good level.

Teach your children and be sure your partner understands how to help you when you have had a seizure, have gone unconscious, or have become unresponsive. Be sure everyone knows what to do. Speak to your doctor about anything he can prescribe for you if your blood sugar crashes. 

The key to enjoying travel when you are a diabetic is simply planning. Take the time to look at the airline's rules before going to the airport. It is like that old quote by Maya Angelou: “Hoping for the best, prepared for the worst, and unsurprised by anything in between.” 

Your diabetes doesn’t have to be your primary focus. Taking care of these issues in advance helps you focus on having a good time.

Source: WebMD