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DIABETES: PREPARATION AND PLANNING BEFORE TRIPS

Check list of things to take

1.     Plenty of syringes – allow for unscheduled delays.

2.     Swabs – the individual packs are convenient.

3.     Plenty of insulin – extra bottles for breakage or loss and a bottle of quick acting insulin even if your child is not using it regularly.

4.     Plenty of blood testing strips for your meter.

5.     Supply of blood testing strips which can be used without the meter, such as Glucostix or BM Test Glycemie 20-800. These are useful if the meter breaks down or if it is inconvenient to use it.

6.     Blood glucose meter.

7.     Tests for ketones in urine (Ketodiastix or Ketodiabur).

8.     Glucagon kit.

9.     Glucose in some form – for example, barley sugar.

10.     A letter from your doctor about your child as an introduction to a doctor or hospital if you need help while away.

11.     A letter for Customs officials if you are travelling overseas. The doctor will certify that you need to carry insulin and syringes.

12.     Identification of your child clearly indicating that he or she has diabetes and is on insulin treatment.

13.     Some snacks while travelling in case meals are delayed.

14.     Travel alarm clock.

Insulin adjustment

Short journeys or travelling within the same general time zone (for example between Australia and Hong Kong) pose no problems. Give insulin and meals close to the usual time. If you cross a time zone, keep one watch on the home time and give snacks at the usual time to prevent hypoglycemia.

For long journeys to a different time zone (for example Australia to England or America) some advanced planning is required. Ask the travel agent to get a flight schedule for the journey for you expressed in both local time and in the time of the city from where you set out for the journey. You can then discuss this with your doctor or clinic.

If you are on two injections a day, this is easy. You may need to vary the morning and evening dose so that when you reach your destination, the insulin fits naturally into your new time scale.

If you are on one injection a day, you should discuss this with your doctor. Usually it is better to give half doses at about twelve hourly intervals during travel and then the usual dose before breakfast when you arrive.

Meals

In general it is usually easier if you:

1. Keep one watch on the home time (the time in the city where you started the journey), judging meal times by this.

2. Try to use airline meals. There is usually plenty of carbohydrate, but you may ask in advance for fruit or extra bread to make up carbohydrate allowance. Some airlines provide’ suitable meals for persons with diabetes on request. Check with your travel agent.

3. Keep an eye on your home time watch. It will tell you when it is time for a snack. Take some snacks with you. Airlines are usually very helpful in providing extra food or serving you first if you ask in advance.

Blood tests

Do blood tests from time to time. It is reassuring to know you can prevent hypoglycemia this way. Don’t worry if the tests are a bit high: they probably will be, because of the inactivity of sitting for long distances. You can use blood strips that don’t require a meter.

Exercise

Take the chance to walk around at transit airport stops. It breaks boredom, provides useful exercise, and helps prevent swollen ankles.

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RelatedPosts:

• THE G.I. FACTOR: CARBOHYDRATE REQUIREMENTS FOR SMALL EATERS
• DIABETES IN CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE: QUESTIONS ABOUT HYPOS