Travelling with diabetes isn’t always easy. Right from what to pack to what to eat, there’s so much you need to be careful of. Here are some helpful tips if you are going on a family holiday with diabetics.

If you are planning a solo trip and have no major health issues, you can just look for the right mode of transport, make reservations and set out! Yes, a lot of planning goes into travel, but the to-do list can get longer if you are travelling with someone with a chronic disease like diabetes. Preparing for a family holiday and thinking of diabetes management for your loved one can be challenging. But that doesn’t mean that a diagnosis of diabetes should come in the way of your family member’s wish to explore the world. Before travelling, you just have to ensure that their condition is under control and you have packed everything that a diabetic would need while travelling. Come, let’s find out some tips for people travelling with diabetes.

Dr B.M. Makkar, Senior Diabetologist, President, Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in Delhi, India. Shared some tips.

Going on a trip can help to unwind, but it can also affect a person’s health if he or she is a diabetic. Dr Makkar says that travel exposes diabetics to unfamiliar environments, which is why you should be well prepared.

Packing tips if your loved one is travelling with diabetes

1. Schedule an appointment with doctor

After you are done with booking tickets, cabs and hotel rooms, you should schedule an appointment with your family member’s doctor. This should be done at least a month in advance of the trip for an updated assessment of glycemic control. You should also procure a prescription describing your loved one’s medical condition, and medication.

2. Carry extra medicines

Availability of medications may be an issue in the place where you are going. So, it is important to carry a list of all medications with generic name and their dosages. Taking extra amount of medicines will be a great idea.

3. Information about climate and environmental conditions of the destination is a must

You should have an idea of how the climate and environmental conditions of the destination will be like. Extremes of weather can adversely affect the health of your family member with diabetes. People with diabetes are quite susceptible to environmental stressors such as increase incidence of heat exhaustion, cold exposure, or foot ulcers, says the expert.

4. Pack healthy snacks

Food options for diabetics may be limited during travel, so packing healthy snacks in carry-on luggage can take care of disrupted dietary patterns.

Healthy snacks you can pack

• Almonds
• Cashews
• Walnuts
• Pistachios
• Avocado
• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Tuna salad
• Black bean salad
• Low-fat cheese and whole grain crackers
• Yogurt
• Boiled eggs

5. Take correct syringes

If you are going abroad, you should know that insulin concentration varies from country to country. So, use the correct syringes as per the demands of the country.

6. Insulin pump therapy

If your loved one is on insulin pump therapy, get in touch with the manufacturing company. Dr Makkar advises to disconnect the pump during takeoff or landing as change in cabin pressure may lead to excess insulin delivery.

7. Take travel health insurance

Medical documents are very important if you are travelling with someone with diabetes. Travel health insurance is one of them. You should have the physician’s prescription, health insurance policy, medications and prescriptions for them.

8. Airport security checking

Airport security requiring patients on pump or continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to go through scanners should be warned from doing so. It may cause radiation-induced malfunction, and these devices should not be removed.

9. Encourage diabetics to stand and walk during long flights

Those with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (blood clot in deep veins in the body, generally legs), so they should be encouraged to stand and walk during long flights.

Blood sugar must be measured more frequently, and make sure they wear comfortable footwear to avoid ulcers and infections. With these tips, travelling with a diabetic can be easy.

When travelling, skincare is usually the last item on your mind after deciding which clothes to carry and where to go. Here are some quick ideas to help you maintain healthy skincare habits when you travel this summer

When you are travelling, skincare is the last thing you think about after contemplating the type of outfits to pack and places to visit. Travelling can damage your skin, if not taken care of, especially if it’s a summer destination. Due to constant exposure to the sun, your skin looks dull and dehydrated from the humid hot weather. Simple and effective skincare is vital for you during your summer travel. Here are some easy tips for you to have a good skincare routine, while you travel during this summer season.

1. Every place is not the same:

Don’t think you will find the same type of environment everywhere; so you cannot follow the same skincare routine always. You need to decide the type of moisturisers and creams to pack before you travel. Select the skincare regime according to the climate you are travelling to. For instance, you cannot follow the skincare routine of a humid place in dry or cold climates.

2. Ready from the start:

Don’t wait to reach your destination to start your skincare routine. Be ready from the beginning. Prep your skin on the journey to keep it well-moisturised and protected at all times. Pack some cotton pads and water to keep your skin clean and fresh. To reduce fatigue and dullness, try soothing it with moisturiser and a hydrating sheet mask before you leave for your journey.

3. Sunscreen is mandatory:

It is extremely important for you to carry sunscreen in your bag. Travelling in summer leads to dry and dull skin if not protected from exposure. Try not to leave before applying sunscreen, no matter what the weather is outside. Keep accessories like sunglasses handy, while you travel to summer destinations.

4. Beware of random products:

Don’t try any new or random skincare product you find in the hotel room or a shop in the place you visit. Skin is the most sensitive part of our body, which can have an allergic reaction when it comes in contact with an incompatible product. Each person has a unique skin texture, where some products work and some don’t. Try to have your own set of skincare products, which you have been using for a long time.

5. Stay hydrated:

Carry a water bottle around while travelling during the summer season. It helps you stay active and avoids weakness due to dehydration. It also helps in washing away a lot of toxins from the body.

Here are some budget-friendly tips that you can use to save money.

Everyone should have the chance to experience travel because it is a rewarding activity. But for many people, the expense of travel is frequently a barrier. Fortunately, there are ways to travel on a tight budget and still have a great time.

Steps to having a budget-friendly trip:

1. UTILIZE PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Making use of public transport is a great way to cut travel costs. Instead of utilising taxis or renting a car, think about using buses, trains, or subways. This can help you save money while also giving you the chance to experience the culture of the area and meet new people.

2. TRAVEL WITH FRIENDS

Travelling with friends or family might be a great way to travel on a budget. You can cut prices and increase your vacation budget by splitting the expenditures on housing, transportation, and activities. Additionally, travelling with friends or family members can be fun and memorable.

3. PLAN AHEAD

One of the key tactics for travelling on a tight budget is preparedness. This is doing research about the place you want to go on vacation, including when is the ideal time to go, how much it will cost for lodging, transportation, and activities, and what season is best. By completing research in advance, you may find the greatest deals and save money.

4. BE FLEXIBLE WITH TIMING

Another way to cut costs is to be flexible with your travel dates. Travelling during off-peak times and on a weekday can frequently result in lower travel and lodging costs. Furthermore, planning a trip at the last minute can occasionally save you a lot of money but also put you in danger.

The columnist offers her expert advice on how to tackle this sickness during travel so as not to make everyone else also miserable?

Vacations are the time for travel, taking a break from routine, seeing new places or visiting relatives. It should be an enjoyable experience. Unfortunately, transportation to and fro becomes a nightmare if any accompanying member suffers from motion sickness.

Motion sickness is also known as kinetosis. It can develop in a car, boat, plane, train  or even a giant wheel. The person develops uncontrollable nausea, vomiting, dizziness and sweating. It can start immediately or an hour after travel starts.

Although only one in three people is susceptible to motion sickness, almost everyone will vomit if exposed to motion that is intense enough.

Why does this occur? It is believed to be due to a mismatch between the visual cues the eyes perceive and the sensory information sent to the brain by the inner ear. Signals are sent to the brain from the limbs and the eyes. That is how the brain knows if we are moving or standing still. In addition, there is some fluid called endolymph in the inner ear, which helps with balance. The fluid moves with movement. The inner ear and endolymph sense motion and convey this information to the brain. However, if the eyes say otherwise, that is the person is not in motion, the brain becomes confused, leading to the symptoms of motion sickness. These symptoms are aggravated by anxiety, stress and fatigue. The severity and duration of these symptoms can vary depending on the individual as well as the mode of transportation.

It is commoner in women and in people who have sensitive inner ears. It runs in some families. In children, it starts after the age of two years.

So how should we tackle this sickness during travel so as not to make everyone else also miserable?

There are a few simple techniques to avoid motion sickness:

• Sit in the front of a car or bus facing forward and focus on a fixed point in the distance. This will reduce the mismatch between eyes and ears
• Choose a window seat on flightsand trains
• If possible, lie down, shut your eyes or sleep
• Drink plenty of water
• Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated beverages
• Eat small amounts frequently
• Avoid smoking
• Stop the vehicle for a short period frequently
• Listen to music
• Eat flavoured lozenges. Ginger flavour particularly reduces nausea.

Medicines like antihistamines and antiemetics can be used to prevent or treat motion sickness. Many of them cause drowsiness. They may require a prescription. Do not take more than the recommended dose, especially for children. Medication should be taken an hour before the travel starts.

A pressure point P-6 (Nei guan) is found on your wrist just under the edge of your index finger between the two central tendons. Massage both sides one at a time and then apply pressure for two minutes to reduce nausea from any cause, even pregnancy. Repeat on the other side.

Motion sickness bands called sea bands can be used on both wrists over the Nei guan point. Sea bands have a button. Position the band tightly with the button facing downward over the Nei guan point. They should be placed half an hour before travelling and then left on till the journey is over, even if it lasts a day or two. One band must be worn on each wrist to be effective. Both the bands and the massage are effective in pregnancy too.

The advantage of acupressure and motion sickness bands is that no medication is required. There are no side effects. They can be safely used even in children.

Now that you know what to do to tackle motion sickness, here’s wishing you and your family happy travels.