Dealing With Diabetes On Holiday: How To Stay Safe And Have A Great Time

Living with a condition like diabetes can be incredibly difficult. You are responsible for managing your condition day-to-day and may find that simple, relatively mundane tasks and activities are fraught with obstacles. 

However, having diabetes doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get to enjoy yourself like everyone else. If you want to take a well-earned break from work and jet off for some sun, sea, and relaxation, you are well within your rights to do so. However, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Check out this guide for dealing with diabetes on holiday and ensure you stay safe and have a great time. 

Understand Your Condition

You will likely already understand your health condition well, especially if you have lived with it for a long time. With that said, you should speak to your doctor before you leave the country to help provide you with more knowledge. You should also learn some key phrases related to diabetes in the language of the country you’re visiting. Knowing the differences between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes will be key, especially if you can say these phrases in the local language. 

Of course, you likely already know the health details, but you should read up all the same just to reinforce your knowledge. In healthy people, the pancreas produces a hormone called insulin, which breaks down sugar in the blood and turns it into energy. In people with type 1 diabetes, their immune system targets and attacks the insulin-producing cells. In people with type 2 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce the required amount of insulin, or the cells fail to react properly to insulin. 

Get The Right Travel Insurance 

Travel insurance is essential for anyone going on holiday, diabetes or not. However, if you have a pre-existing medical condition such as diabetes, you should find a policy that will still cover you. 

This means finding a provider that specialises in medical travel insurance. A good medical policy should include coverage of medical treatment as well as expenses. Do your research so that you fully understand your coverage before you leave the country.

Pack Your Medication

For you to be able to have a good holiday, you should ensure that all of your medication is packed. There may be some medication that you need to take, and there may be some medication that should be packed away just in case you need it. Speak to your doctor before you pack so that they can tell you what you need and help you get what you need.

Modern airlines implement incredibly strict security procedures and have extensive rules and regulations regarding what passengers can and cannot bring on board. It’s absolutely vital that you check the rules of your airline ahead of time to avoid any potential complications. When travelling with your medicine, keep everything in a clear plastic bag with medicines in their original boxes, and this will reduce the risk of delays when passing through airport security checks. 

Many countries have specific laws regarding what kinds of medicines can be brought in. It’s vital you check ahead of time that your medicines won’t cause any issues. If possible, carry a copy of your prescription and a letter from your GP with you. 

Conclusion

Living with diabetes doesn’t mean you can enjoy a holiday; it just means you have to take a little extra care. Remember, this is just a guide; you should speak to your doctor for more relevant information and help.