Diabetes should not stop you from traveling but careful planning is required in order to assure a safe and enjoyable trip. As always said, 'safety begins and planning'. So make sure you give yourself enough time to plan for your trip as well as to condition yourself.

Give yourself at least 2 to 3 months of planning. This will enable you to accomplish everything you need in your trip. If your trip requires arrangement with a travel agent, inquire on the special package for diabetic. Itineraries should be different and meals should conform to the need of a diabetic.

Meanwhile, monitoring your glucose level before you travel is important to ensure that you are perfectly fit when it is time to go. A visit to your doctor or to your diabetes educator weeks before your trip is also important. Provide him your travel information (itineraries, travel information, schedules, etc.) to assess if it is okay for you to go or to give you the necessary precautions and tips on how to survive the trip.

If you need certain vaccination, have it done weeks before you go. Ask for advices on how to control your blood sugar during the trip.

Have your doctor or your diabetes educator to help you prepare the diabetes supply for the entire trip.

Here is the list of the things that should be included in your "diabetes survival kit":

• blood glucose meter,
• record book,
• extra supplies of insulin (if you take insulin) or oral agents,
• Glucagon (if you take insulin),
• extra food in case of delayed meals such as crackers (if you travel by plane),
• a fast acting insulin for high blood glucose,
• fast acting sugar for low blood glucose,
• juice,
• syringes and needles,
• urine ketone testing strips,
• the contact number of your doctor, and
• granola bars or fruit

When packing, do not place your diabetes supplies and medications in one bag. Have them separated in case your bag is stolen or lost. Insulin will lose its strength if stored in a very cold or hot place such as the globe compartment of the car. Un-pressurized environment will also give the same effect.

When you travel is it always good to let people around know that you have a medical condition, not only for cases that are directly related to that condition but for many other situations that may occur, make sure that you let some responsible people that you know are in your area know that you have this medical condition, it may help on some occasions.