Travelling and Holidays with Diabetes
by John Ngijseh

Just because you have diabetes does not mean you cannot go on holiday. All you have to do is to make sure you prepare well.

Key tips:

1) Always have some type of diabetes ID on you so that people know that you are diabetic. An identification bracelet or an ID card would be ideal. If you do not have one contact us and we can send one out to you with your order.

2) Take a blood glucose meter with you. You may be ill on holiday, dehydrated due to the heat or may eat food that you would not usually eat. For all these reasons it is important to be aware of your blood glucose levels and make sure they are controlled. If you don't have a blood glucose meter and would like to know more visit our guide to glucose meters

3) Make sure you have a written certificate from your doctor in the language (if possible) of the country you are visiting stating that your medication or insulin is for the treatment of your diabetes. The last thing you want in a foreign country is any misunderstanding regarding medication and needles.

4) Make sure you know where you can go for medical help in the place you are visiting preferably beforehand but if not on your arrival.

5) Take a recent copy of your prescription with you. No one wants to lose their medication but these things can happen. Having the name of your medicines and proof of a prescription can help you find replacements.

6) Take more medication and test strips than you would normally use. Just in case some are damaged or lost. Take as much as twice the insulin you actually need for your trip. To purchase more test strips for your meter visit our test strips section.

7) If you use an insulin pen, take a U100 insulin injection with you for emergencies and remember to dispose of your needles with great care. Ideally use a BD Safe Clip Needle Cutter to cut the needle off your syringe, this is also handy as it is small and portable.

8) Check with your insurance company that your diabetes is covered.

9) Make sure that your medication or insulin does not become too hot or cold. There are special cool bags that can keep insulin cold during travel. Also, it is best to keep insulin in your hand luggage, as it is likely to freeze in the hold of the plane.

10) Always carry a snack or hypo treatments in case of hypoglycaemia or if a meal is delayed or contains to little carbohydrates.

By taking the above simple steps you can have a great holiday.

Have a good time.

John Ngijseh
Glucosemeters4u.com