■ Visit your doctor for a health check-up atleast few weeks before you leave for a holiday. Also, discuss with him/her, ways to self-manage your diabetes during the vacation period.
■ Make sure that you are carrying your diabetes ID or a letter from your doctor, which mentions your diabetic status. Some airlines & countries would like to see the ID for reference, as you would require to carry syringes and needles.
■ Carry your doctor’s/ diabetes care team authorised letter that explains your condition. This will be of help in case you are not in a position to give the instructions yourself.
■ If you are travelling overseas, you must get a travel/health insurance that covers your condition and caters to the emergency clinical needs that may arise during your vacation. Also, due to difference in time zones you may need to change your medicine in-take. Discuss this with your doctor before travelling.
■ Consider getting a bracelet or necklace that indicates you have diabetes, so that people can help you in case of emergency.
■ Research and keep a track of places where you can get supplies of insulin at your destination. This would be essential in case of an emergency. Also, research & keep information on the local foods and drinking water.
■ Contact your pharmacist before the trip to see if your insulin is supplied in the country or state you are travelling to. It is also worth checking whether it is sold under the same name.
■ Also, it is important to remember that extreme hot and cold climates tend to affect the functioning of insulin and glucometer. If you take insulin, record the types of insulin and whether the insulin is rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate or long-acting. Be sure to carry a copy with you at all times.
- Dr Sanjiv Agarwal, Founder & MD, Diabetacare