Due to the unpredictable nature of all forms of travel, managing diabetes is tricky, but can be done with some thoughtful planning. Here are seven tips to manage sugar level effectively during travel.
1. Consult Your Healthcare Provider Before Traveling
You might have known this already, but let us reinforce this - before you travel, visit your healthcare provider. This consultation is crucial to review your diabetes management plan. Your doctor may adjust your medications and address any potential challenges that might occur during your travel.
They will also give you a medical certificate and a detailed prescription list. These documents are essential for carrying your insulin and other diabetes supplies through customs.
2. Manage Your Diabetes Medications
Managing your medications and supplies properly is also important to make sure that you do not face any problem. You must pack sufficient medication that will last your entire journey.
Split your diabetes supplies between your carry-on bag and checked luggage. This will reduce the risk of losing or damaging those critical items.
Some of the essential items that you must carry as a diabetic patient are - insulin, oral medications, glucose meters, Contour Next Gen test strips, syringes, and needles.
3. Check Your Blood Glucose Levels Frequently
Many diabetes patients avoid regular checks, but monitoring blood glucose regularly is critical, particularly while traveling. Check your glucose levels at least twice. Once in the morning, before you eat your first meal and once after. If you sense a spike during the day, you should check if your blood glucose has gone above the normal mark. If it has, take necessary measures to bring the level down.
Therefore, while travelling, continuous glucose monitoring systems are very helpful. A product like Contour Next Gen test strips can help you to make timely adjustments in your diabetes management plan.
4. Plan Every Meal
Maintaining a well-planned diet is also quite important for managing diabetes if you are traveling from one state or country to another.
What you can do is, research different food options at your destination, before even starting your journey. Then plan your every single meal as per your planned glucose levels.
If you think that there might be moments when you can’t have your planned intake, then you should carry some diabetes-friendly snacks. Nuts, whole-grain crackers, and glucose tablets can be good options for this.
Remember that you must avoid foods which are high in sugar or fat. This is a key tip that will help you to prevent high-levels of glucose fluctuations.
5. Stay Hydrated
Let us tell you in advance what your health provider is going to say to you - stay hydrated!
Staying hydrated is very important for managing your glucose level to its most optimum. Dehydration will negatively impact the glucose in your body. You should drink water frequently to prevent any negative fluctuation of glucose.
Also, do you know that alcohol can cause significant glucose fluctuations in your body? It can also impair your judgment about your diabetes management plan. If it is possible, try to stay away from any alcoholic beverages during your journey. If you want to wet your beak then you can opt for non-alcoholic and sugar-free beverages.
6. Be Physically Active
It is a no brainer, being physically active is undoubtedly the most important aspect of diabetes management.
Activities like walking, swimming, and light exercise will maintain the correct glucose levels in your body.
However, you should monitor your glucose levels before, during, and after every physical activity that you pursue. It will help you to prevent hypoglycemia. You can purchase Contour Next Gen test strips to help you with such monitoring.
Pro Tip: You can also wear a medical alert bracelet that can indicate you have diabetes. This bracelet will provide critical information to healthcare providers in case of any emergency.
All in All
With these tips, your travels can be both safe and enjoyable. Proper preparation makes a huge difference.
Always keep your healthcare provider in the loop. Follow your management plan closely. Carry all necessary supplies and documents. Stay vigilant about your glucose levels. Plan your meals and stay hydrated. Incorporate physical activities. These steps will help you keep your glucose levels stable.
What’s more? Now with Contour Next Gen test strips you can travel with ease and confidence. You can explore all of our diabetic care products on our online store.