Diabetes: what must be taken into account when traveling on vacation?

Diabetes: what must be taken into account when traveling on vacation?

Specifically in the area in which I work, and with the focus on the World Diabetes Day, I emphasize special attention and mention to essential care for people who use insulin and for those treated with tablets. We remember that, in Argentina, According to the National Survey of Risk Factors, it is estimated that 12.7% of Argentines 18 years of age or older have diabetes.

In this way, there are certain special cares to take into account when embarking on a trip so that people with diabetes travel safely and can enjoy themselves without taking risks, previously scheduling a consultation with their treating doctor:

  • Everything that has to do with the documentation and the drugsIt must be carried in the handbag and not in the suitcases, since these can be lost for hours or days, in case of air travel. If this happened, treatment would be interrupted and access or purchase of supplies, insulin or oral medication would be difficult.
  • Transport insulin in a cooler bag for proper storage in hand luggage. Also, the tablets must be carried in their original container to avoid delays in customs in front of inquiries about the medicine.
  • The necessary amount of supplies / medication. You should consider bringing supplies for up to 15 days after the date of return from vacation, for any inconvenience that may occur.
  • The person must carry a doctor’s note dealer with the necessary indications: name of the person, type of diabetes (1 or 2), treatment / medications and reference of the medications that they carry. In case of traveling abroad, a note in the language of the destination country should be considered. In addition, there are mobile applications with text and voice translators that allow us to easily communicate in an emergency, in a language we do not know. I recommend having them.
  • Identification card: with the number of the treating physician and emergency contact details.
  • About clothingIt is essential to wear comfortable shoes to avoid injuries and injuries to the feet.
  • Like any person who decides to travel abroad, it is important to find out about the requirements of the country of destination in terms of COVID-19 enabled vaccines, for transit and / or permanence.

In addition to these tips, depending on the case, the doctor will adapt the treatment and medication taking into account the lags in the person’s routine, for example, if there will be a change in schedules, a change in usual activities, such as increased hours on the air. free on excursions and walks. The diet should also be reviewed by the doctor in the case of a destination where it is culturally different.

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For their part, doctors often recommend people who use insulin, to prevent hypoglycemia, that they travel with a glucagon kit in case they lose consciousness, as well as that they have a sugary juice available at this time. For adults traveling with diabetic children, I recommend closely monitoring blood insulin controls, as with changes in routine, this can be forgotten.

Faced with these recommendations and with careful planning, traveling with diabetes is a comfortable and safe experience. Doctors are here to provide confidence and encouragement and, in the face of advances in these 100 years since the discovery of insulin, people with diabetes can enjoy their vacations and a full life like anyone else’s.

Director of the scientific and international affairs committee of the Argentine Diabetes Federation (FAD).

Source From: Ambito

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