Insulin Tips For The Diabetic Traveler

Having diabetes does not mean that you should be tied to close proximity to your home. You can travel and have adventures just like anyone else. The only deal is that with diabetes, you have to conduct a little extra planning because you have to deal with your blood testing supplies such as your meter and strips as well as insulin and syringes. The supplies are fairly easy to deal with; however, traveling with insulin is a bit more of a challenge, depending on where you are going.

Storage is the main issue with insulin. While insulin needs no refrigeration, extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can alter its strength which can, in turn, affect your health. Therefore, you need a plan to ensure that your insulin is kept in a relatively cool place. Because of this storage issue, you can be sure that a few scenarios are out like your car trunk or glove box. Backpacks for your outdoor adventures may not be the best scenario either because of the constant exposure to the sun. There are travel cooling packs made especially for insulin that might be an option for you.

The basic rule for diabetics is to pack twice as much supplies and insulin as you need. That way you can put some of it in your luggage and the rest in a carry-on that you keep with you. This is especially important for air travel as airlines have been known to lose a bag or two! However, if you happen to run out of insulin while on the road, you can get a prescription called in from your doctor to the nearest pharmacy to your location. If possible, make sure that you are receiving the exact formulation and brand.

Each insulin manufacturer's directions are different; however you can expect that your insulin will be good for about twenty-eight to thirty days once it has been opened at room temperature. If you refrigerate your newly open vial, it could last anywhere from thirty days to ninety days. Please note that deterioration can occur in temperatures above 85?F and of course, never allow it to freeze because that would render it useless. Direct contact with a heat source or ice is also not appropriate for storing insulin.

If you plan to travel by plane, you should note that the cabin pressure of the plane may affect the insulin. The pressure in the insulin vial is lower than the airplane cabin; therefore, stick the syringe into your insulin vial with a plunger so that the pressure can equalize and you won't end up losing your insulin.

It is also important to note that when you cross time zones, your insulin injection timetable may be thrown off a bit. It makes sense that when you fly to the east, your day will end up a bit shorter and so you may not need as much insulin. Of course, going west makes your day longer thus necessitating more insulin and even some extra snacks to keep your blood sugar at an even keel. You will have to discuss with your doctor about your dosage options with travel. The bottom line is to check your blood sugar regularly so that you know what tweaking you may have to do with your dosage so that you have a happy and healthy trip.

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