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Traveling And Diabetic? Add This To Your Checklist!
When you plan your travel, it is essential to organize several things well in advance to prevent an emergency due to diabetes and also ensure blood sugar control. An organized kit and some practical ideas can be of great value in keeping the blood glucose under control and avoid extreme fluctuations in blood sugar levels.
Medicinal products
- If you are on treatment with Insulin (either syringes or insulin pump), it is essential to carry enough supplies with some extras. If you are on treatment with oral medicinal products these too should be carried in enough quantities.
- Consult with your physician and get a detailed prescription with all doses of anti-diabetic medicinal products listed clearly along with doses of any other medicinal products (motion sickness, acidity, diarrhoea, constipation, antibiotics, painkillers, etc.) that you may need during the travel period.
- Carrying a blood glucose monitoring device is a must along with the required strips, cotton swabs, sanitisers, a waste container to discard used material. Do not forget to include a small first aid kit.
- It is essential to check the patient information leaflet for the storage or temperature conditions particularly for insulin since its activity may be affected due to change in temperatures. Accordingly, if required by the manufacturer, you may need to carry ice-packs or cool bags to maintain the temperature of the insulin.
- If you use an insulin pump, it is advisable to check with the airline regarding the security requirement and accordingly arranging for formal documents required from the treating physician.
- Changes in air pressure may affect the insulin delivered by the pump; hence you may need to disconnect and connect again after take-off and landing. Consult your treating physician for specific information.
- Also, weather and altitude affect the test results of glucose monitoring devices, please read the device manually or contact your pharmacist/manufacturer to clear your doubts and confirm the requirements.
- Since the dietary content may vary significantly, during the initial stay duration, it is advisable to monitor blood glucose frequently.
Diet
- Things to eat which would last long should be packed according to the number of travel days. Dry snacks such as dry fruits, khakhras, should be packed to manage hunger in case the meals get delayed due to any reason.
- Fruit juices avoided otherwise should be carried out to manage the sudden drop in blood glucose due to any reason. Likewise, glucose in any form powder or tablets can also be included. Read more about the best foods for diabetics to consume.
- Choose healthy local cuisine. If you crave sweets there, you can enjoy however opting for smaller portions and monitoring of blood glucose to keep a check.
Read More: 5 Diet Tips for Diabetes Management
General useful information
- Pack medicine supplies in two different bags. Keep essential medicines in hand baggage if travelling by air or in an accessible and convenient place.
- Taking care of your feet is equally important while travelling since on them depends on your complete travel plan. Choose appropriate terrain footwear for moving around comfortably.
Weight loss is an integral part of Diabetes Management. To do so, slow down your eating process and speed up weight loss. Diabetes is not the end of the world. Debunk Diabetes Myths Here. And most importantly, follow your doctor’s advice completely.
Need more information on diabetes and its related diseases? Ask Anya! Chat with Anya Bot here via Facebook and get more information on diabetes management.
Also Read: Are Bananas Good for Diabetics? A Research-Based Analysis
Disclaimer: The above information has been prepared by a qualified medical professional and may not represent the practices followed universally. The suggestions listed in this article constitute fairly common advice given to patients, and since every patient is different, you are advised to consult your physician, if in doubt, before acting upon this information. Lupin Limited has only facilitated the distribution of this information to you in the interest of patient education and welfare.
Slow Down Your Eating To Speed Up Your Weight Loss
In the management of diabetes, weight loss plays a critical role and therefore it’s necessary to decode questions associated with it. This article will not only help you clear off doubts associated with body weight in type 2 diabetes management, but also suggest simple and easy ways to manage your weight.
Question 1: Is there a connection between body weight and type 2 diabetes?
Answer 1: Yes, though not always excess body weight is an important risk for developing type 2 diabetes or high blood sugar. More than 80% (approximately) of the people with diabetes are above their ideal weight.
Question 2: How does excess weight affect normal blood glucose control?
Answer 2: Excess weight can lead to improper control of blood sugar because:
- Excess fat in the body does not allow the body to respond adequately to insulin (insulin resistance).
- This leads to abnormal or high levels of glucose in the blood which, if not controlled, progresses to Diabetes.
- Also, excess fat increases inflammatory chemicals which increases the risk of complications of Diabetes.
Question 3: Has it been shown that weight loss improves diabetes control and reduces the risk of complications?
Answer 3: Yes, there is plenty of data from diabetic patients validating that the reduction of fat can help control diabetes and reduce the risk of its complications.
Weight loss, therefore, is important for the management of diabetes and reducing the risk of its complications. Some suggestive changes in your daily routine, which can help in reducing fat, are listed below.
Also Read: Best Fruits for Weight Loss: A Comprehensive Guide
Simple but effective ways to reduce excessive fat:
- Eat soon after you brush in the morning. Start with some dry fruits like walnut or black raisins or almonds not soaked just washed.
- Most importantly do not eat after 8 pm or at least 2 hours before going to sleep.
- Eating fast induces weight gain four times faster than normal speed-eating (approx. 20 min per meal). So, eat slowly, chew more, and gain less! Chew your food approximately 30 times per bite.
- Diet content suggestions:
- Replace cornflakes with oats, but not the instant ones. Read more about the health benefits of oatmeal.
- Finish the bowl of salad (cucumber, cabbage, seedless tomato, lettuce, carrot) before the chapatti-vegetable. Change the processing of the salad cut, sometimes chop, sometimes mince and sometimes grated.
- Over a period of time, reduce the number of chapattis you eat and increase the number of veggies.
- Include a bowl of dal. If you cannot skip rice so reduce the quantity slowly and increase the quantity of dal to make you feel just short of being full.
- Have a glass of thin buttermilk (1 teaspoon fat-free curd blended with 1 glass of water) if you still feel hungry. Read more about the health benefits of buttermilk.
- To spice up your food, avoid pickles and opt for chutneys.
- During a week, have soup (not instant ones) and salad at least a couple of times or a bowl of sprouts with finely chopped salads with fresh lemon juice.
- Try not to consume paneer, potato, corn, sweet potato, juices, tinned fruits, bottled beverages, sweets, papad, pickles, noodles, red meat/mutton.
- Another step to reduce weight is a 45-minute brisk walk for 45-minutes on a flat path/road at an approximate speed of 100 steps per minute. You can split it into three 15 minute walks. If not walking right after a meal, do it after at least 15 minutes.
Diabetes is a lifestyle disease but it is shrouded in myths. Debunk Diabetic Myths here. The best way to approach Diabetes is to follow the doctor’s advice thoroughly. Here is why. If you are planning a vacation or need to travel, try this checklist!
Also Read: Opting For Healthy Noodles: A Comprehensive Guide
Read More: 8 Effective Exercises for Weight Loss
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
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