Often being said, “Good planning is essential.” Diabetics deal with this rule particularly well – especially on holidays! Certainly you should always discuss your travel plans with your doctor to clarify your individual situation.
SpaDream’s 15 tips will help you get prepared for your dream trip!
Before The Trip
1. Is vaccination protection necessary at your destination? Diabetics should also be vaccinated in advance.
2. Have an U.K and international diabetes card issued. In case of an emergency, the treating physicians will then know about it.
3. For travelling by plane you will need a multilingual certificate, which is issued by your own doctor. During the security check, you can then proof that you have to carry out the medications and utensils.
4. Inquire the producer, if your medical equipment and supplies exist in the country you are visiting and under what designation they are led. If something happens to be lost or broken, you will be able to get it replaced quickly.
5. Sometimes the meals on the plane are greasy or heavy. Therefore, it is good to pre-order a diabetic or vegetarian dish.
To Pack
6. Do not forget spare supplies and batteries. Also be sure to take more diabetes test strips with you. Often the blood glucose can fluctuate, therefore you should measure it more frequently.
7. Your diabetes accessories should always go into your carry on. If you are travelling with another person, split it up for safety reasons. You are advised to pack the double quantity as necessary.
8. Take extra food for your travels with you, for example nuts and grapes. That way you already prepare a snack for the arrival at the hotel before you receive your meal.
9. If you go to the sunny south, take a small cooler bag, because insulin should not be stored at temperatures above 37 degree Celsius.
During The Trip 
10. Keep an eye on the plane, drink plenty of water or tea, and do not let the blood glucose level drop.
11. Regular movement, e.g. Bounce back and forth with your feet or walk up and down few times, helps for heavy legs feeling.
At Your Destination
12. Note the effects of the time change: If you travel to the West, the days are longer and your insulin requirement is increasing. If you travel to Asia, it is exactly the opposite. Your physician and regular measures of the blood glucose levels help you assess your needs properly.
13. Will there be high temperatures at your destination? Then the effect of the insulin starts faster, since your blood flow is increase.
14. Do not expose insulin, measuring instruments and test strips to direct sunlight, but rather place it in a cool bag.
15. Are you traveling to colder and snowier regions? Then carry the insulin on your body, for example under the ski suit. This means that it always has the right temperature and can be used without warming up.
Are you ready to plan your next holiday? Then take a look at our special offers specifically organized for diabetics!
