Here are few simple points to remember and to check just before you leave:
- It is always better to have your diabetes under control before going away on holiday.
- Do not forget that the usual advice to travellers applies to you as well.
- Take a suitable container to keep your insulin supplies cool (i.e. cool bags) and pack an emergency kit with a spare pen or syringes and a few days' insulin supply in case of loss or breakage.
- Make sure you always have some sugar with you (as a precaution against hypoglycaemia) and extra snacks (in case of delayed journey) as well as regular insulin (in case of hyperglycaemia).
- Check that your insurance covers any treatment you may require abroad as a result of diabetes and make sure that you have an ID card and/or a medical letter from your diabetes centre to show you have diabetes.
- Prior to long haul trips, discuss with your diabetes care team the effects that crossing time zones will have on your insulin regimen.
- Find out what the concentration of insulin is in the country you are travelling to: some countries still use U40 insulin although it is becoming less common.
Even if diabetes is not an obstacle to travelling abroad, going on holidays will require a certain amount of planning and organisation.
Remember : If there is any aspect of travelling abroad you need to discuss or fine tune, contact your diabetes care team prior to your holiday.
Ask your diabetes specialist for more advice
