Every week, an on-line newsletter for diabetics appears in my inbox. This newsletter tends toward the practical, the up-to-date, the amusing. It’s well done. I subscribe because I like to know what general information diabetic patients find helpful. Last week I found a comprehensive list of tips for managing blood sugar while traveling. Two things occurred to me. The first thing was that many of the items on this list would be useful not just for those with diabetes, but for all travelers. Tips #1 (minus the testing supplies), 5, 6, and 8 fall into this category.
The second thing I thought about was that diabetes sure makes traveling more complicated. It doesn’t make it impossible, and it certainly doesn’t make it inadvisable. It’s fine to drive if you’re diabetic. As long as your blood sugars remain the normal range.
What’s the difference between being diabetic and not being diabetic? One thing and one thing alone. People who are not diabetic are able to keep their blood sugars in the normal range without having to think about it. Their bodies do it automatically. People who are diabetic, on the other hand, have to involve their brains in the process. They can’t keep their sugars normal anymore without thinking about it, walking the walk, and measuring and monitoring throughout the day. That’s what it takes to keep your blood sugars in the normal range when your body can no longer do it automatically.
As long as you do what needs to be done, however, you can expect to remain healthy, with a very low risk of developing complications.
This list reminded me of the difference between being diabetic and not. As long as you do everything you need to do to keep your blood sugars normal, you should expect to be able to do anything and everything that non-diabetics do. Like travel.
But have you taken a look at the list yet? It’s unbelievably detailed! They thought of everything, and good for them. Now here’s the rub. If you’ve ever left home for more than a day or two, you know how complicated it can be. You have to arrange for the animals, the newspapers, the mail, the house lights, the lawn (if you’re leaving for a while), the children (if they’re not coming with you), the job, the email account. You have to notify the neighbors, the police (maybe), the boss, the co-workers, the paperboy, the lawn guy, the babysitter, the house cleaner. Makes you not want to leave home.
So why would you knowingly make choices that increase immeasurably the complexity of your arrangements? My suggestion would be that you add these tips to your mental list of reasons that you don’t want to become diabetic (type 2). Think of it this way: God grant me the serenity to accept the things i cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Make the choice to change the things you can! Most cases of type 2 diabetes are preventable.
Here are the tips:
1. Pack more snacks, drinks, and blood sugar testing supplies than you think you will need, so that you are prepared in the event of travel delays.
2. If you take insulin, store it for the road trip in a cooler or insulated container.
3. Be sure to wear your medical bracelet if you have one.
3. Be sure to wear your medical bracelet if you have one.
4. If you are taking a long car trip, test your blood sugar before leaving. If it is 70 mg/dL or below, eat or drink something that will raise it quickly, and wait until your blood sugar is back to normal before getting behind the wheel.
5. Research nearby restaurants and grocery stores in your travel destination so you know your healthy options for meals and snacks.
5. Research nearby restaurants and grocery stores in your travel destination so you know your healthy options for meals and snacks.
6. You can also research emergency or urgent-care clinics along your travel route. If you belong to an HMO, ask what doctors and facilities along your travel route are affiliated with your plan.
7. Test yourself at regular intervals.
8. Stop periodically to walk around, stretch your legs and give your body a break from sitting down.
9. Follow your daily dosing routine at the regular times. If you always take a medicine at 10 a.m., do so in the car at the same time.
7. Test yourself at regular intervals.
8. Stop periodically to walk around, stretch your legs and give your body a break from sitting down.
9. Follow your daily dosing routine at the regular times. If you always take a medicine at 10 a.m., do so in the car at the same time.
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