Travel Tips for Persons with Diabetes

People with diabetes can travel safely and comfortably. They just need to follow a few travel guidelines. These tips have been curated based on inputs from experiences of frequent travelers with diabetes and vetted by Dr. Shital Patel.

To begin with, it is important to note that diabetes related supplies are allowed on the plane.

•  Carry medications in hand luggage and in original packaging.
•  Insulin & insulin pens, alcohol swabs and unlimited numbers of unused syringes
•  Blood glucose meters, test strips and lancets 
•  Ask if you can carry liquid nutrition, especially on long-haul flights. You may face a challenge in explaining this to the security officers, but it is important to do so, especially on long-haul flights. 

Always, always carry the doctor’s prescription with you and a note describing your condition. 

Meals

• Book diabetic meals for your in-flight /train meals.
• Do not skip any meals to avoid hypoglycemia. Over eating a little is better than fasting, especially during long layovers at airports and missed flights, to avoid possibility of sugar dropping (hypogylcemia).
• Carry some carbohydrate rich snacks, candies, sugar sachets etc, in case your sugar   levels drop. 
• Be careful about alcohol intake as this can cause fluctuations in blood sugar.
• Book aisle seats for long travel – easier to use the washroom or move around.
• When travelling across time zones, adjust your medication and food intake as per the time zone that you are currently in.

Exercise

• Do not skip your exercise routine. 
• Do upper body and toes exercises while sitting.
• On an airplane or train, try walking up and down the aisles. 
• On the road, take frequent breaks to stretch your legs.

Related Reading: Diabetes Patient Advocate Jayesh shares travel tips

Diabetes Medications

• Take your medications, including insulin, as prescribed.
•  If you are carrying an insulin pump or Continuous Glucose Monitor, let the airport security know and ask for a physical search.
• If you are on insulin pump, and your time zone changes, adjust the clock gradually.

Community Tip:

If you are traveling in a group, do not feel shy to inform people around you that you have diabetes. It helps manage the pressure to over-eat.

Issued as part of the public education series by Boehringer Ingelheim India and PatientsEngage