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With everyone traveling now and in the next few months, it is important to be organized in your diabetes management while away. Traveling is a great way to spend time with friends or family when you have time off work, however, if you have diabetes it is essential that you plan carefully to minimize any disruptions to your management when away from home. Managing diabetes comes with a lot of different supplies and medications to keep track of, therefore, having all of your supplies organized can make for a much more hassle-free trip.
When you are away from home or traveling to a destination, storing your diabetes supplies in an easy-to-access location can help you feel organized and on top of your diabetes management. Keeping track of your supplies is also important so you can re-order or purchase new ones before your current supply runs out. If you are traveling to a foreign country or somewhere remote where it is not easy to get to a pharmacy, make sure you pack double the amount you think you will need in case of an emergency. Here are a few helpful tips when it comes to organizing your diabetes supplies while traveling:
1. Store your supplies in a temperature-controlled cabinet or case
Keeping your medication at the appropriate temperature is essential when traveling to ensure it does not break down or become ineffective. Make sure you check the packaging of your medication to know the right temperature it should be stored at. There are some easy to use insulin cooling solutions on the market, such as this insulin cooling bag.
2. Don’t leave your insulin in the car
Closed cars are often a few degrees warmer than the outside temperature, therefore it is important not to leave your supplies in the car when away or going on day trips to avoid heat damage.
3. Managing Hypoglycemia
One of the main challenges of driving with diabetes is hypoglycemia, also known as low blood sugar. This can occur when blood sugar levels drop too low, causing symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, and even in extreme cases unconsciousness. These symptoms can be particularly dangerous when driving, as they can impair a person’s ability to focus and react quickly to unexpected situations on the road.
To manage hypoglycemia, it is important for people with diabetes to monitor their blood sugar levels before driving and during long drives (by stopping in a safe place like a gas station or in a designated rest area). This can be done using a continuous glucose monitor or by regularly checking blood sugar levels with a glucose meter. It is also recommended to carry snacks, such as hard candy or glucose tablets, in case of an emergency.
4. Dealing with Hyperglycemia
Another challenge of driving with diabetes is hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar. This can occur when blood sugar levels become too high, causing symptoms such as fatigue, thirst, and blurred vision. These symptoms can also impair a person’s ability to drive safely, making it important to manage high blood sugar levels before getting behind the wheel.
One of the biggest risks of driving with diabetes is the potential for sudden onset of symptoms. For example, a person may feel fine when they get behind the wheel, but their blood sugar levels can quickly drop or rise, causing symptoms that can affect their ability to drive safely. This is why it is important to regularly check blood sugar levels and be prepared to pull over if necessary.
5. When traveling keep your supplies with you
If you are flying or driving to your destination make sure you keep all of your supplies with you in carry-on luggage. This is so you can access them as needed and keep them temperature controlled. It might be helpful for you to have a diabetes travel organizer with all your diabetes essentials.
6. Have your at-home supplies organized but also have an on-the-go kit ready and stocked
When traveling you should keep a daily kit with all of your supplies organized. Having a pack or case that can easily fit in your bag or backpack is essential when traveling to keep all your supplies protected.
7. Dispose of your sharps safely
When traveling it is important to dispose of needles and test strips appropriately. A compact travel sharps container that fits in your pocket or bag makes this easy, and it's small enough to carry during day-to-day life, short trips and vacations.
Planning vacations can be stressful with managing accommodation, flights, activities, and more, don’t let your diabetes management add to this stress. By having a plan with your doctor and organizing your supplies you have a much lower risk of something going wrong and you can enjoy your vacation hassle-free.
Glucology is an Australian-owned brand, founded in Sydney in 2016. Trusted by 350,000+ customers worldwide, we design practical everyday accessories for people managing diabetes, including insulin cooling pouches, insulin pump belts and diabetes travel cases.
General information, not medical advice. Always talk to your diabetes care team about your care.
