Traveling with Diabetes: Tips to make sure you have a good flight
Check your blood-glucose level before take-off
Diabetics are acquainted with the risk of low blood-glucose levels (hypoglycemia). It is therefore important to check your blood-glucose level before setting out on your journey. If it is too low, you should take countermeasures, if necessary by eating some glucose. This will bring your blood sugar back into balance and enable you to concentrate normally again.
Keep some insulin and test strips in your hand baggage on long-haul flights
You should keep your oral antidiabetic agents, insulin and injection aids (pens) – as well as metering devices and sensors – in your hand baggage, because active ingredients, diagnostic equipment and test strips are vulnerable to extreme heat, cold and humidity. "The sensors for all Bayer glucose meters function reliably at temperatures between 10 and 40°C," says Sandra Peterson, Head of Diabetes Care at Bayer HealthCare.
However, temperatures fall below zero, i.e. too cold for insulin, in an airplane's cargo hold. You should certainly contact the airline if you have to take large amounts of insulin with you. Their staff can advise you on where sensitive drugs should be stored on the plane to make sure they survive the journey.
If you tell the security staff that you are a diabetic and therefore need to have your medication and metering utensils with you, you should have no problems with the security controls – despite the stricter rules. Tip: diabetics can relax if they have a doctor's certificate with them.
Better safe than sorry
To be on the safe side, you should always take two blood-sugar meters with you on your journey, as well as a reserve store of antidiabetic agents, test strips and replacement pens. You can't always replenish your supplies in all countries. Before you leave, you should find out (for example by asking your pharmacist) which products abroad correspond to the ones you use at home. An important tip is to make sure you have the right insulin concentration!
In-flight meals
These days, many airlines serve special meals for diabetics – if the passengers order them in advance when they book. To be on the safe side, you should definitely take some rusks or dried fruit with you.
Checking your blood-glucose level after traveling through different time zones
If you are traveling through several time zones, you should discuss adjusting your therapy with your doctor before you leave, because there is a considerable risk of hypoglycemia after experiencing time differences. You can counter this risk by checking your glucose level before going to bed.
Measures at your destination
Once you have arrived abroad, your medication, metering devices and sensors must be correctly stored again. In hot countries, they should be kept in an air-conditioned room or a cooling container.
Seeking advice abroad
These days, almost every country in the world has a diabetes society that can give you advice. The umbrella organization, the International Diabetes Federation, lists the individual national societies on its website.
Advice for patients
Every body reacts differently to medicines. Therefore it is impossible to tell which medicine works best for you. Please consult your physician.
