New York, NY, July 7, 2004 — Now that school's out, family vacation season has officially begun. Whether you're planning short day trips or several weeks away, thinking ahead will alleviate many problems, as well as a lot of stress. Although diabetes requires extra work, you will find that virtually any trip or event you have planned is do-able. So read on and prepare to have a fabulous family vacation.
Put together a support team
Discuss vacation plans with your doctors and other diabetes care providers to work out a tailored plan. As you probably know, any change in activity can affect blood sugar levels. For big trips, added excitement may cause lows, so you may want to consult your doctor for help with changing insulin dosage at such times. Also, ask your doctor for a letter explaining your medical condition and treatment needs, and get a prescription for insulin in case of an emergency.
Make any special accommodations for your child with diabetes well in advance of camp trips and other events. Speak to camp counselors, coaches, relatives, friends, etc. ahead of time to be sure you and/or your child will have enough support wherever you go. If you're not comfortable with the level of support, change your plans.
Pack extra supplies of everything you use to treat diabetes, and pack them in more than one bag, including a carry-on or purse. Make sure you wear your medical ID bracelet, or other medical identification, and let friends or family members know your itinerary.
Finally, you may also want to make reservations at restaurants to avoid long waits, and ask if they can provide you with nutritional information on their menu items.
Check blood sugar levels more often
In general, people with type 1 diabetes should check blood sugars at least six times a day as part of their regular routine, and more whenever their schedule changes. Heat and excitement are two factors that can significantly affect blood sugar levels. The more often you check blood sugars, the more easily you'll be able to anticipate and avoid problems.
The insulin pump is becoming more and more popular, as it provides quite a bit of flexibility in your routine while also eliminating the need for insulin injections. Kids are becoming "pumpers" at very young ages and immediately after diagnosis as the technology improves and word spreads. Ask your doctor if the pump is right for your child, and if possible, speak to other parents about their experiences with their children or teens on the pump.
Beat the heat
People with diabetes may experience more low blood sugars in the heat, so take extra precautions. Dehydration can be a serious problem, whether or not you have diabetes, so make sure you carry water with you at all times, even when going to the beach or pool for the day. Most experts recommend drinking at least eight 8-oz. glasses of water a day in order to avoid problems, and even more if you're going to be very active.
Keep meters, test strips, and insulin out of direct sunlight and use insulated containers or ice packs, but be sure insulin doesn't freeze either.
Special considerations for amusement parks
For major amusement parks like Disney World/Land, the first thing you should do when you arrive is go to the guest relations office and explain that your child has diabetes and must eat, check blood sugars, and/or take shots at specific times. They will give you a pass that will get your family in the handicapped line for most rides, which will drastically cut the amount of time you will have to wait in lines. Bring a backpack with snacks, juices, water, and all your diabetes supplies. You may also want to pack meters and insulin pumps in waterproof bags so they don't get wet on water rides. If your child is relatively young, you can also rent a stroller for the day and stash supplies in there—and when the kids get tired, they can rest in them too.
Many parents also suggest making reservations for sit-down meals at park restaurants before leaving for your trip.
Flying Tips
Finally, if you are traveling by air, be sure you have the latest information from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) about flying with diabetes supplies.
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