Diabetes Health Tips: Prevention, Treatment & More

If you’re going to be crossing time zones, consult your doctor before your trip, preferably with your itinerary in hand, about how to adjust your insulin or other medicines.

Take more supplies than you would normally need. A small pouch containing appropriate supplies such as pills, insulin, syringes, a blood glucose meter, and test strips will help you manage your diabetes through travel delays or lost luggage scenarios. A sandwich, packaged peanut butter and crackers, and glucose tablets or gel can be literal lifesavers when the vending machines are empty and the concessions are closed.

No — you should never place insulin in your checked luggage, since it could be subjected to extremes of temperature that would degrade it.

Wearing medical ID that says you have diabetes may help. Additionally, a letter from your doctor noting the date, your name, the fact that you have diabetes, and listing all of the supplies and medicines you use should ease your way through security. Make several copies of the letter, and keep one with your identification or passport.

Yes — the TSA allows syringes and other insulin delivery devices to be carried onto a plane only when accompanied by insulin.