Managing Diabetes If You’re A Frequent Flyer

When managing diabetes as a frequent flyer, maintaining a routine is crucial. Changes in your eating, sleeping, and activity patterns due to travel can disrupt your body’s normal routine, potentially leading to unexpected fluctuations in blood sugar levels. To prevent this, it’s essential to prepare in advance.

Before you travel, consult your healthcare provider to adjust your medication schedule, especially if you’re crossing time zones. Pack enough medication, testing supplies, and snacks to manage your blood sugar during the trip.

Additionally, research the availability of diabetes-friendly meals at your destination and plan your activities to avoid extreme shifts in physical exertion. By preparing ahead, you can better manage your diabetes and reduce the risk of complications while travelling.

In this article

• Why could travelling with diabetes be problematic?
• How to manage time zones when you have diabetes
• Can you take insulin on a plane?
• Managing diabetes in the air
• Managing diabetes when you land

Why could travelling with diabetes be problematic?

Travelling with diabetes can be problematic for several reasons:

1. Disrupted routine: Travel often disrupts regular eating and medication schedules, which can make it difficult to maintain stable blood sugar levels.
2. Access to food: It might be challenging to find diabetes-friendly meals or snacks, especially in unfamiliar places or countries with different cuisines.
3. Time zone changes: Crossing time zones can complicate the timing of insulin doses and meals, leading to potential fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
4. Medication storage: Insulin and other diabetes medications need to be stored at specific temperatures, which can be difficult to manage during travel.
5. Physical activity: Increased or irregular physical activity, such as walking more during sightseeing, can affect blood sugar levels, requiring more frequent monitoring and adjustments in medication.
6. Emergency access: In case of a severe hypoglycemic episode or other diabetes-related emergency, getting timely medical help in a foreign location can be more challenging.
7. Stress: The stress of travel, including dealing with transportation, schedules, and unfamiliar environments, can also impact blood sugar control.

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How to manage time zones when you have diabetes

Managing time zones when travelling with diabetes requires careful planning and adjustments to maintain stable blood sugar levels.

1/ Consult your healthcare provider

Before travelling, speak to your healthcare provider about how to adjust your insulin or medication schedule based on the time zone changes. They can provide specific guidance tailored to your treatment plan.

2/ Plan for time zone changes

• If you’re travelling east: Travelling east usually shortens your day, so you might need to take your insulin or medication earlier than usual. Consider small, gradual adjustments to your medication timing a few days before departure.
• If you’re travelling west: Travelling west lengthens your day, which may require taking your insulin or medication later. Similarly, adjust the timing gradually if possible.

3/ Keep track of time zones

Keep track of the time at your home base, especially on the day of travel. This can help you determine when to take your medication based on your regular schedule, even if you’re in a different time zone.

4/ Use an alarm

Use your phone or a travel clock to set alarms for when you need to take your medication or check your blood sugar. This can be especially helpful if you’re crossing multiple time zones or experiencing jet lag.

5/ Monitor your blood sugar

Time zone changes, along with altered eating and sleeping patterns, can affect blood sugar levels. Monitor your blood sugar more frequently during travel and the first few days at your destination to ensure you stay within your target range.

6/ Adjust your meals and snacks

Plan your meals and snacks according to your medication schedule. If you’re flying long distances, pack healthy snacks and consider the timing of in-flight meals to align with your insulin or medication needs.

7/ Stay hydrated and active

Dehydration and prolonged sitting during flights can affect blood sugar levels. Drink plenty of water and try to move around during the flight to help maintain good circulation and blood sugar control.

8/ Gradually adapt to your new time zone

Once you arrive at your destination, gradually adjust your routine to the new time zone. Try to sync your meals, medication, and sleep schedule with the local time as soon as possible.

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Can you take insulin on a plane?

Yes, most airlines will allow you to carry insulin in your hand luggage. You’re also allowed to take your insulin pump and all its supplies (including batteries and cleaning fluids) as long as you have your insulin with you.

It’s worth being extra cautious and carrying a doctor’s note confirming your diagnosis (get it translated if you’re going somewhere where you think language might be an issue).

Here are some tips to follow to ensure that your insulin and diabetes supplies are safely and appropriately managed during your flight:

1. Carry-on bag: Insulin and other diabetes supplies should be packed in your carry-on bag rather than checked luggage. This helps ensure they are kept at a stable temperature and are readily accessible.
2. Medication documentation: Bring a copy of your prescription or a letter from your healthcare provider explaining your need for insulin and other diabetes supplies. This can help clarify any questions security personnel might have.
3. Original packaging: Keep insulin in its original packaging with the prescription label visible. This makes it easier for security personnel to identify and verify the medication.
4. Temperature control: Insulin needs to be stored at specific temperatures. Use a cooling pack or insulin travel case to maintain the appropriate temperature. Avoid storing insulin in direct sunlight or in extremely cold environments, such as the cargo hold.
5. Declare your medication: At security checkpoints, inform the security officers that you are carrying insulin and other diabetes supplies. You may need to undergo additional screening, but this should not affect your ability to bring your medication on the plane.
6. Needles and syringes: If you use needles or syringes, make sure they are also packed in your carry-on and inform security about them. Some countries have specific regulations regarding the transportation of needles, so it’s a good idea to check the rules of your destination.

If you’re worried about flying as a diabetic, contact the airline ahead of your trip.

How much should you pack?

It’s better to be safe than sorry and have enough medication, food and supplies for all eventualities.

You could find yourself spending five hours in an airport because your plane is delayed, or be stuck on the runway when you should be eating—so make sure you’re prepared for this by packing extra snacks, drinks and insulin (or other medication).

Diabetes UK recommend packing two or three times the amount of insulin or other diabetes medication and equipment you’d normally need. If you’re travelling somewhere with extreme temperatures, take something to store your insulin in so it doesn’t get too hot or cold.

Easy diabetes snacks

Here are some simple snack ideas:

• a handful of seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds
• yogurt with berries
• carrots or celery with salsa or hummus
• sliced apples with peanut butter
• beef sticks
• a couple of squares of dark chocolate
• a small handful of unsalted nuts

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Managing your diabetes in the air

When flying with diabetes, you should let the flight attendants know about your condition. This ensures they can provide assistance if needed and helps to make sure your meals are served on time.

Throughout the flight, it’s crucial to regularly monitor your blood sugar levels, as changes in altitude, cabin pressure, and stress can cause fluctuations. Staying hydrated is also important, as the dry air in airplane cabins can lead to dehydration, which may impact your glucose levels. Make sure you drink water frequently and avoid alcohol and sugary drinks, opting instead for water, unsweetened tea, or coffee.

Careful planning around meal timing is essential. Coordinate your insulin doses with the timing of in-flight meals, and wait until you see the meal cart before taking your insulin—turbulence or an order mix-up could delay your meal and cause you to take your insulin at the wrong time. Additionally, make sure to move around the cabin every couple of hours to maintain circulation and help prevent your blood sugar from dropping due to prolonged inactivity.

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Managing your diabetes when you land

If you’re a frequent traveller with diabetes, keeping a detailed record of how you manage each trip is crucial, as it will streamline planning for future journeys.

In addition to monitoring your blood sugar more frequently both in the air and on the ground—since low or high glucose levels can easily be mistaken for jet lag—it’s wise to ensure your diabetes supplies, such as insulin and testing strips, are easily accessible throughout your travels.

Familiarise yourself with local healthcare facilities and pharmacies at your destination, so you know where to go if you need assistance or additional medication. Carrying a conversion card is essential, as blood sugar may be measured in different units in other countries, but also make sure you have a letter from your doctor explaining your condition and necessary medications, which can be useful if you need to seek medical help abroad.

Finally, consider wearing a medical ID bracelet or carrying a medical alert card to ensure that first responders are aware of your condition, in case of an emergency.

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