Health Advice - Flying with Diabetes

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Cheap Flights Bookings » Information » Health Advice - Flying with Diabetes

Health Advice - Flying with Diabetes

If you have diabetes, either insulin dependent or only dietary, this should not adversely affect your flying, providing you take some sensible precautions to make your trip a trouble free journey, especially if you take insulin.

Things to Do before You Travel
Make sure you plan well ahead of your trip, especially if it is a long one. It is advisable to see your care provider or GP 6 weeks before you travel so that you can plan your management of your diabetes. It would be a good idea if your planning a long trip covering various time zones to plan your medication time routine, as crossing time zones can play havoc with your normal routine and could lead to under or over dosing.

Make sure you get your necessary immunisations completed well in advance just in case there are any adverse reactions.

Ask for extra prescriptions just in case you lose your medicines en-route, which could be disastrous if you're not prepared. Always pack your essential medicines in your carry on luggage, as this prevents them from being subjected to extreme cold which can adversely affect them, and also keeps them to hand. When you pack your insulin vials make sure they are wrapped in something soft.

Be Prepared
Always know the rules and appreciate that the Airline Check in staff and security officers have an important job to do, and the current rules regarding fluids and sharp objects. This includes syringes, which fall into the category of potentially dangerous objects. Make sure that all vials of insulin are clearly and professionally labelled with a pre-printed pharmaceutical label that clearly identifies the contents as medication. You should always carry the main insulin box. When carrying your kits keep those in their original containers, again with pre-printed pharmaceutical labels. All Lancets must be capped and carried on board with the glucose meter, again with its correctly labelled manufacturer's markings.

Will the X-Ray Machines Damage my Equipment?
The short answer to that is NO the airport X-ray equipment will not damage your meter, insulin or any prescribed equipment associated with your diabetes. If you have any concerns at all you MUST identify this to the security officer prior to passing this through the machines and, if necessary, you can ask to have your carry-on bags hand-inspected, so the security staff will open your kit and check it. It's safer to take more equipment or spare meter, batteries, test kits and pump and sufficient supplies for 2 weeks more just in case of loss.

Wear a Medic Alert Bracelet or Necklace that shows you have diabetes and use insulin.

Eat Healthy, Drink and Remain Healthy
You should carry with you glucose tablets to relieve any symptoms of hypoglycaemia and suitable snacks such as breakfast bars, crackers just in case you miss any meals. When booking your flight it is normally possible to request meals that are designed for diabetic passengers. Whilst flying you should not consume alcoholic drinks and only try to drink caffeine free drinks. Remember at altitude your body's ability to absorb elements is different.

Especially on long haul flights you should ideally check your glucose levels every 6 hours and only take your pre-meal insulin when your meal tray is served in front of you, as sometimes due to disruption and turbulence the distribution of food may be halted.

Syringes vary in size according to dose levels so you should make sure you purchase matching syringes whilst abroad and you should find that pharmacists are well trained to identify the correct syringe.

Time Zones
When travelling across several time zones you may need to change the timing and the amount of insulin you administer. For instance if you are travelling West bound then the days become longer so you may need slightly more insulin and the opposite if you're travelling East Bound when you may need to reduce the levels. You should ask your GP or professional who can advise you about these changes in your routine and dosing. As a rule it's best to keep your watch set to your home time when you left, as this will enable you to keep to your routine as to when to take your medication. You can change your watch to local time the morning after you arrive at your destination.

Protect Your Medicines
When travelling to Tropical climates you should remember to refrigerate your insulin as soon as is possible. Alternatively you can keep them in a non breakable thermos flask which has been chilled by ice and then emptied to hold your insulin vials so as to maintain a cool temperature, but NEVER freeze it. Avoid moisture to your tablets especially in tropical locations with high humidity.

Inject Safely
Before you use a syringe on the aircraft always remember to remove and replace the plunger to allow for the pressure to equalize, as the aircraft is pressurised. There is no problem with you taking on board spare syringes, but you will only be permitted to carry them on board together with your insulin.

If you are in any doubt about your situation you should inform ground security crew if you feel unsure about any matter. When on board you should inform the head steward or a member of the cabin crew that you are an insulin dependent passenger, as they will be able to identify any possible problems where you may need assistance, such as if you experience low blood sugar levels. Cabin crew on all airlines are fully aware of the problems associated with insulin dependency and it's usual for at least 1 doctor to be present on board by sheer logistics. Air cabin crew are well trained and there is always a trained first aider on board, usually 2.

Written on: 20th July 2007