Travel Tips for People with Diabetes

If you’ve got diabetes, you do your best every day to monitor what you eat and drink. You know when it’s time to pull out the test strips and check your blood sugar levels. Managing diabetes takes time, effort, and organization – all of which can get very tricky when you go on vacation. But with some careful forethought and preparation, people with diabetes can stay healthy and safe while traveling.
Dr. Craig B. Frey and Dr. Megan L. Oltmann, the expert podiatrists at Foot & Ankle Associates of Cleveland, offer these tips for our diabetic patients who may be traveling.
- Never walk barefoot. Pack proper diabetic footwear – shoes or sandals – and wear them at all times.
- Be prepared for days when sticking to a meal schedule will be difficult. If you have to delay a meal, pack snacks in case.
- Don’t drastically change your diet. Splurging on fatty foods, alcoholic beverages, or extra cups of coffee can cause your blood sugar to rise.
- If you’re flying, pack your medications in your carry-on bag so they don’t get lost. Bring enough medication to last your entire trip, as you can’t be sure it’ll be available where you’re going.
- Bring packets of alcohol wipes with you for those times when you need to test your blood glucose, but your hands are dirty.
- Get enough sleep. Fatigue can wreak havoc on your blood sugar.
- Keep tabs on your activity level. If you’re getting more exercise than you usually do at home, be aware that it may have an effect on your blood sugar levels.
- Hot temperatures can cause swings in blood sugar, too. Stay in air-conditioned places when it’s very hot outside. Store your medications in a cool place as well.
- Remember to perform your daily diabetic foot checks.
Our podiatry patients in Summit, Portage, Cuyahoga, and Geauga Counties know that when you control your blood glucose, you contribute to good foot health. We hope these tips help you to keep up the good work despite the challenges a vacation may pose. If you’ve got questions about safe travel with diabetes or have any other concern about your feet, call our Solon, Ohio podiatry office at (440) 903-1041 or make an appointment online.