Don’t Let Diabetes Ruin Your Travel Plans!

May 17, 2011

Vacations and travel are fun!! Great opportunity to re-energize yourself Break away from the daily grind & doldrums Chance for adventures Spend quality time with friends/family Time to make some memories Learn something new Rest Fun!!

Travel begins as you leave your front door. Information can apply to:

Short local outings Weekend getaways Week long trips and cruises Exotic, once in a lifetime trips

Today’s Diabetes “Cruise”

Captain: Mary Lawrence Cruise Director: Kathy Haarmann Travel Mates: Liz Patton, Nancy Trebilcock,

Mary Green

Customs

Port #1 Supply Island

Port #2 Tootsieville

Port #3 Nutrition Junction

Port #4 Disaster Dunes

The WORST-CASE SCENARIOSurvival Handbook: Travel The unexpected usually happens. Accept the things that are beyond your

control. Always have a contingency plan. No matter how bad things are, they could be

worse. Don’t respond to the possibility of bad luck or

problems with staying home.

Travel Issues

50% of travelers run into problems Flights are late—28% in December 2010 Bags are lost—3.1 million baggage reports

were filed in 2008 Reservations are mishandled Weather is unpredictable Cars break down Things happen!

Diabetes Issues

Irregular schedules Inability to control all your food Extreme amounts of activity Time zone changes Increased sensitivity to heat Limited supplies

Worst Case Scenarios—What do you do? Your purse is stolen from the hook on the

bathroom door. It contains all your medications.

Worst Case Scenarios—What do you do? There is a tornado damaging the St. Louis

Lambert Airport totally closing the airport. Your flight is cancelled for today and the flights are all full tomorrow. Your arrival home will be delayed by at least 36 hours. You do not think your supply of insulin will last that long.

Worst Case Scenarios—What do you do? Your new Nike walking shoes that you bought

just for this trip, have rubbed a blister on foot.

Worst Case Scenarios—What do you do? You get a case of Montezuma’s Revenge and

blood sugar’s are running high.

Worst Case Scenarios—What do you do? The plane you are on has a mechanical

problem, and you are stuck on the plane with no food service while they are making the repair. You did not eat anticipating a snack lunch on the plane. You are starting to feel hypoglycemic.

Worst Case Scenarios—What do you do? You are having abdominal pain that you have

self-diagnosed as an appendicitis attack. You need to go the Emergency Room.

Worst Case Scenarios—What do you do? You are at a Mexican resort for the week.

You get your meter out of the bag to test your blood sugar, put in the strip, and the meter does not turn on.

Worst Case Scenarios—What do you do? You usually change out your pump reservoir

and set every three days. But you are rushed before dinner and calculate that the insulin will last until tomorrow. You decide to wait and change it in the morning. When you disconnect the next morning to change it, you realize the site is red and very tender to touch.

Worst Case Scenarios—What do you do? You are on a day trip. You planned to eat

breakfast and lunch out, but dinner would be at home. You brought medications for the first two meals, but not for dinner. Your car breaks down.

You do not know if you can get it fixed today, but you know you will definitely not be home for dinner and will have to grab some food at a small diner.

Worst Case Scenarios—What do you do? You accidentally left your meter in the car

while you spend a hot day at an amusement park. When you return to the car and realize your error, you use the control solution and the result is out of range. You decide that your strips have deteriorated and are probably no longer accurate.

Worst Case Scenarios—What do you do? You packed plenty of medications and testing

supplies for your trip. You have some supply with you in your purse and the rest are packed in your checked luggage.

The airline loses your luggage. As you start your 4th day of vacation, your luggage has still not turned up at your hotel.

Worst Case Scenarios—What do you do? You have two glasses of wine at dinner. After

dinner, friends talk you into another glass back at your condo. At 3 a.m. you awaken in a cold sweat and a little confused.

Worst Case Scenarios—What do you do? During a warm summer day you enjoy a lot of

hiking and time at the pool in the sun. When you check your blood sugar before dinner it is 280 mg/dl.

Identification and Information ID card or jewelry that identifies you have diabetes Emergency contact information and your physician

phone #’s List of medications Brief health history Prescription labels or letter from MD for the lancets

and insulin and needles that you are carrying TSA notification card

TSA Notification Card

TSA Screening

Metal detectors, full body scans and enhanced full body pat-down

This can be concerning for pump users TSA Web site—recommends you notify the

security officer you are wearing a pump and ask for full-body pat-down and visual inspection of pump

Advise officer pump cannot be removed as it has needle (catheter) under the skin

TSA Screening

Recommend medications in clear plastic bag in carry on luggage

Rules can be different in other countries; consult airline; list of supplies and medications in signed letter from doctor

TSA.com

Medical and travel insurance

Insurance for trip cancellation Insurance for illness during trip

More inclusive coverage from insurance company Find out about healthcare system in

destination—nearest emergency room and pharmacy

Determine how your regular insurance will cover when out of the state/country

American Embassy may be of help

Packing medical supplies

Pack more than you need! Bring at least double.

Carry insulin and diabetes supplies with you in your carry-on bag.

Insulin can go through x-ray; never put in check bags

Divide supplies into two different locations Have a list of prescription #’s and pharmacy

phone # or prescriptions “just in case!”

Protect your bottles and meters/strips Hot or cold climate may affect your insulin,

blood glucose meter, and strips

Special considerations

Extra batteries for meter Extra meter Travel, disposable meter Travel lancets Control solution Sharp’s container

Special considerations

First Aid kit with over the counter medications Antibiotic for traveler’s diarrhea Water bottle

Visit Port #1 Supply Island

& Port #4 Disaster Dunes

Feet Don’t Fail Me Now!!

More walking on vacation is inevitable! Diabetic socks or good walking socks Never bring your new shoes on vacation Protect your feet Be prepared for problems Check your feet daily! Seek care promptly

Moleskin products for blisters and calluses

Visit Port #2 Tootsieville

Eating on vacation

Enjoy the change of pace—no cooking, different restaurants, different foods.

Learn about local cuisine and specialty items before you go.

Ask how foods are prepared so you can make better choices

Don’t drink alcohol on an empty stomach Avoid drinks with sugar based mixers Bring handy nutritious food items for in

between snacking or when no time to stop or the travel day

Don’t skip meals and keep portions controlled.

Take time for more activity to balance out eating and extra calories.

Drink plenty of water especially in the summer heat and when more active.

Visit Port #3 Nutrition Junction

Don’t go too low

Hypoglycemia can ruin your day. Hypoglycemia is dangerous. Hypoglycemia can occur when you least

expect it. Hypoglycemia can occur when there is a

change from your usual eating and activity. Check BS before driving.

Hypoglycemia

Be prepared with healthy, portable snacks to prevent hypoglycemia

Be prepared with treatment options if needed Don’t forget the Glucagon Emergency Kit if

you have a prescription

Visit Port #4 Disaster Dunes

Dealing with travel tension

Stress (and excitement) can trigger hormone release which can raise blood glucose

Manage your response to stress The 4-7-8 Breath

Inhale through nose for count of 4 Hold for count of 7 Exhale through mouth for count of 8

General Traveling Tips

Prevent blood clots and swelling— walking about every 2-3 hours leg exercises while sitting

Traveling East will shorten your day and decrease insulin needs.

Traveling West lengthens the day and increases overall insulin needs.

In extreme heat, insulin in absorbed more quickly; be prepared to adjust doses

General Traveling Tips

Check blood glucose every few hours, especially on travel days, until you settle into a routine.

Drink lots of water while in flight and while away. This helps prevent clots, jet lag and constipation.

Sun protection! If you don’t give time to diabetes, diabetes willwill take

time. Be resourceful.

Proper preparation and prior planning prove to prevent problems!

7 P’s

Bon Voyage!