Traveling with Diabetes

The summer months mean the kids are out of school, hot weather has returned and traveling starts. Are you planning a trip this summer? You can go almost anywhere whether it is to the beach or the mountains. If you have diabetes, it takes just a little planning to keep your blood glucose in control.

Traveling can make it hard to keep your blood glucose within your target range because of changes in time zones, meal times, types of food available, and activity. Check your blood glucose frequently when you are on vacation.

Here are some tips to make traveling easier.

Packing tips:

• Pack extra supplies including testing strips, lancets, batteries, medication.
• Make sure you pack your supplies in your carry-on bag.
• Keep insulin cool with a cooler or ice pack.
• Wear an ID that identifies that you have diabetes
• Carry a fast acting source of carbohydrate, like glucose tablets, in case your blood glucose drops.
• Bring your physicians name and phone number.
• Pack a list of the medications you are taking.

At the airport

• Tell security that you are a diabetic and that you are carrying medical supplies.
• Have a prescription label with a name that matches the boarding ticket for your medications.
• You can bring syringes on the airplane if you have insulin with you.

Do not forget foot care

• Bring extra shoes to prevent blisters and sore pressure points.
• Check your feet often and treat minor foot injuries.
• Do not go barefoot. Protect your feet when walking by the pool, in the park, or on the beach.

To learn more about living a healthy life with diabetes, consider attending Group Diabetes Classes at Wayne HealthCare. Group classes meet once a week for four weeks. During the classes you will learn the following: 1) facts associated with diabetes, 2) the relationship between diabetes and healthy eating, 3) the value of monitoring and using the blood glucose results, 4) the importance of exercise, 5) how diabetic medications work, and 6) ways to reduce risk of complications.

The cost of each class is $10 or $40 for the series of four classes. The next group classes will be held July 2, 9, 24, and 30, 2012 from 1pm to 3pm. Pre-registration for the classes is required.

If you prefer to meet individually with the Certified Diabetes Educator, you can receive education regarding Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) and Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT).

For more information regarding the programs offered by Wayne HealthCare Diabetes Self Management Program please call 937-547-5750.