Travel safe with diabetes

Visit your doctor: Before departure, ask your doctor for a letter and prescription outlining your condition and listing your medicines. 

 

Plan for alternatives: Look up prescription laws and medicine availability at your destination. Ask your doctor about alternatives and new treatment options to keep your sugar in check while travelling. 

 

Find a doctor abroad: The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers (Iamat.org) lists contact details of well-known doctors across countries and specialisations.   

 

On the trip

 

Time zone adjustments: Factor in time zones so you take your injections at regular intervals.  Injecting insulin on a flight comes with its share of risks, so be aware of these. 

 

Keep snacks handy: Don’t  fast on a flight or in transit as this may cause complications, including sudden drop in blood sugar. Carry snacks such as biscuits, fruit, cheese and a form of sugar, such as candy or glucose tablets to treat low blood sugar. Eat 15g of carbs and wait 15 minutes. If your sugar is below 70mg/dL, repeat this.

 

ID bracelet: Wear one listing allergies and medication so anyone can and help if needed. 

 

On holiday

 

Break your fast when needed: Adjust your insulin intake to avoid hypoglycaemia. It’s recommended to depend less on fast-acting insulin and more on long-acting (base) insulin. 

 

Plan your meals: Eat suhour with items that keep you full throughout the day, such as ful medames (fava beans), avocado, brown bread, and eggs to help stave off hypoglycaemic attacks. Avoid an oily iftar, since raised sugar levels may cause fatigue and require more insulin than recommended to control.

 

Monitor glucose regularly: Changes in diet when travelling can impact sugar levels. 

Monitor food intake: When eating out for iftar or suhour, ask about ingredients used in meals. This can be crucial in preventing a diabetic attack. Avoid caffeine and sugary drinks since they not only affect sugar but also cause dehydration. 

 

Understanding insulin

 

Stick with one type: Try to use the exact brand and formulation of insulin that you’re used to. However, if you need to use a new type of insulin, it’s vital to buy syringes that match it. Consult your doctor for this information.

 

— The writer is member of the Beat Diabetes advisory panel and Chief Medical Officer, iCare Clinics