Away
From Home
Caring for your
diabetes when you travel
-- whether it's a
sleepover or a family
vacation -- takes
preparation and
planning. Your doctor or
diabetes educator can
help you adapt your
diabetes treatment to
traveling. Here are some
general tips.
Take plenty of
supplies. Your
parents can buy you a
special case for
carrying your insulin,
syringes, meter, and
other supplies. Some
cases even include
little ice packs to keep
the insulin fresh in hot
weather. When you pack
your case, put in more
than you think you'll
need: an extra bottle of
insulin, a few more
syringes, another vial
of test strips. Then you
won't have to worry
about running out. And
don't forget your
logbook and a pen!
Carry lots of
snacks. If you're
just going to a friend's
house, your usual snack
supply is probably fine.
But if you're going on a
long car or plane trip,
stock your backpack with
a variety of snacks.
Throw in an extra juice
box or pack of glucose
tablets. Put cheese and
crackers into sandwich
bags. Make a big bag of
trail mix. Why? Eating
on the road can be
unpredictable. You never
know how long it will
take to get to the next
exit with a restaurant!
Wear your medical
ID. You should have
it on already. It's
especially important to
wear it when you travel.
Check your blood
glucose more often.
When you're away from
home, it's harder to
stick to a schedule.
Checking your blood
glucose can help you
stay in better control.
Be careful about
syringe and lancet
disposal. Take a
hard plastic or metal
box (like a pencil box)
for your used syringes
and lancets. Wait until
you get back home to
throw them out.
Click
here
for more information on
traveling with diabetes.
|