Fit to Fly
How to prepare for and avoid flight-related problems
Every time you fly, your diabetes travels with you. Air travel may require you to adjust your insulin or medication schedule and heighten your vigilance for symptoms of low blood glucose (hypoglycemia). Plan ahead to avoid problems with your diabetes so you can sit back and enjoy the in-flight movie along with everyone else.
Pre-flight check: contact your physician
If you are not a frequent traveler, a good first step in your travel planning is a visit to your doctor before your trip. Ask for written prescriptions for medicines and supplies you use in case you lose or run out of your current supply. You also may want to get a letter describing your diabetes treatment to carry with you in case you need emergency care away from home.
Carry-on essentials
One of the secrets to successful air travel is to pack everything you need to manage your diabetes so it's accessible and secure. Always place all your medications, insulin, syringes, glucose meter, strips and lancets in your carry-on luggage. Here are other items to pack:
- Extra medication and supplies
- Batteries for your glucose meter
- Extra batteries and syringes in case your insulin pump fails
- Glucose tablets and snacks to treat low blood glucose
- A glucagon kit
Diabetes supplies are fragile and sensitive to temperature extremes and should not be placed in airplane cargo holds. You can't afford to have anyone misplace or mishandle these valuable items.
Breezing through security
Your ticket to a hassle-free airport security is properly packing and disclosing all diabetes supplies you are transporting. Airline security regulations require you to declare all needles and lancets, which should be capped and packed along with insulin and your glucose meter. Insulin vials, pens and cartridges should have their preprinted pharmaceutical company labels, and your glucose meter should have the maker's name on its surface. If you are carrying a glucagon emergency kit—and you should—make sure it's professionally labeled.
For the latest airline security regulations, visit the U.S. Transportation Security Administration Web site for specific instructions on traveling with diabetes supplies.
What time is it?
Because we lose or gain time as we travel east or west, you may need to adjust your insulin or medication schedule based on the length and route of your flight. Make sure you are aware of the time difference between your place of departure and your destination. Talk to your doctor or diabetes educator to find out if you will need to adjust your insulin or oral medication schedule.
In-flight meals
Long flights also can wreak havoc with mealtimes and your commitment to healthy eating. "If you take insulin, wait until you actually see the food cart approaching before injecting your insulin," advises Gozu. "Otherwise, a delay in the meal could lead to low blood glucose (hypoglycemia)."
Even if you can't control the in-flight meal schedule, you can control what you eat on board by choosing healthy meals that are low in sugar, fat and cholesterol. Most flights offer a low-fat option or, better yet, carry your own healthy meal or snack.
Avoiding hypoglycemia
Unanticipated changes are common during air travel. Flight delays, meal delays and changes in physical activity (running to catch a flight, for example) may place you at risk for hypoglycemia.
Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach also can lead to hypoglycemia. If you have a drink, always eat a snack or meal along with it.
Your doctor may recommend testing your blood glucose more frequently during travel to avoid fluctuations due to changes in your eating and sleeping patterns and stress. Pay attention to any symptoms that may indicate low blood glucose: sweating, heart palpitations, nervousness, difficulty thinking or concentrating, weakness, visual disturbances and intense hunger. Keep snacks—several pieces of hard candy, a regular (not diet) soft drink or 2-3 glucose tablets—handy for quick treatment of blood glucose levels below 70 mg/dL.
In case of emergency
If you have had severe hypoglycemia in the past, your doctor may have prescribed glucagon in the event you become unconscious and cannot raise your blood glucose by eating or drinking a source of sugar. If you are traveling with a companion, make sure he or she feels comfortable injecting glucagon. If you are traveling alone, especially if you have Type 1 diabetes, a MedicAlert® bracelet or necklace can provide crucial information during an emergency.
You'll enjoy your trip and new surroundings much more knowing you've done everything possible to manage your diabetes, no matter where your travels take you.
Your ticket to problem-free flying
- Pack enough supplies of insulin, medicine and supplies in your carry-on luggage.
- Check your glucose more often than usual and keep snacks handy to treat low blood glucose at any time.
- Be aware of changes in time zones and meal schedules that could affect blood glucose.
- Keep your watch on home time until the morning after you arrive to help you stay on your insulin, medication and meal schedules. If you use an insulin pump, don't forget to reset it as well.
