Travel tips for Diabetes Patients

Diabetes is a chronic illness and needs to be continuously managed. However, it does not mean that diabetics cannot travel or will have any problems while on a trip. There are only some tips that the patient needs to keep in mind to have a tension-free and safe holiday.

• Get the location and duration of the trip approved by the treating physician.
  
• If possible, get the doctor to prescribe medication that may be required during the travel period. The medications may include not only those used to treat diabetes, but also ones for preventing nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea etc.
  
• Make preparations for getting your blood sugar checked at the destination. You should also try to identify medical services in the vicinity of your area for any emergency.

Travel tips:

Apart from the medical services available at the place of your stay, it is also necessary to be alert and make preparations thereof, during the duration of your journey. Some tips for the journey are:

• Keep the insulin or the oral anti-diabetic drugs handy; carry it in hand baggage in the plane or train.
  
• Protect the insulin from extreme heat or cold.
  
• Maintain your food habits even when your routine is different. Eat at regular intervals and do not overeat.
  
• Keep candies or toffees handy in case of a sudden drop in blood suga

Diabetes Risk Factors in Teens

Usually below mentioned points are the major risk factors of Diabetes in Teenagers.

• Family history of diabetes
• Low activity level
• Poor diet
• Excess body weight (especially around the waist)
• Age greater than 10 years or more but no physical activity.
  
• High blood pressure
• High blood levels of triglycerides (a type of fat molecule)
• HDL cholesterol of less than 35
• Impaired glucose tolerance (identified by your doctor)
• Diabetes during a previous pregnancy, or a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
• Certian ethnicities - African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, and Native Americans all have high rates of diabetes

Dealing with Ups and Downs of Diabetes in Teen ages. (PART2)

Take Action!

It’s time for YOU to do something about your diabetes care.

Set goals for what you will do.

Start small and work your way up. For example: “I will cut down on regular soda and drink water instead.” When that’s going well…take the next step. Add another goal “I will dance or bike ride a couple of times a week.” Then add a new goal “I will eat smaller servings of cookies, burgers, and fries.”

Try to make each new goal just a bit harder.

After you shoot hoops twice a week, try adding another activity on three other days. Raise the goal until you reach a level that works for you.

Avoid goals that will be too hard to meet.

For example, rather than saying you’ll never eat a burger or a candy bar again, say you’ll
only eat one a week.

Tell your family or friends about your goals.

Maybe they’ll be active with you or help out some other way.

Reward yourself when you reach each goal.

Keep in mind that rewards can be anything—not just food. You do not have to reach all your goals at once. Start with one or two, then add more.

Dealing with Ups and Downs of Diabetes in Teen ages. (PART1)

Feel good about yourself. Get help to deal with the ups and downs of diabetes. Seek support from other teens and take action to manage your diabetes one step at a time.

Feelings

Many teens like you deal with diabetes everyday. Most of the time, it’s not a problem, you just deal with it. But sometimes, you may just want it to go away. Do you ever…

1. Ask “why me?”
2. Think you’re the only one who feels sad, mad, alone, afraid, or different?
3. Get tired of others teasing you if you are overweight?
4. Blame yourself or your family for your diabetes?

All of these feelings are normal. Lots of teens who have diabetes feel the same way. It’s okay to get angry, feel sad, or think you’re different every now and then. But then you need to take charge and do something to feel better.

Everyone feels down sometimes. You are not alone.

Still down?

Reach out for help. Talk to someone in your family or where you live, a friend, a school Teacher, or your doctor or diabetes educator. It might help to write down your feelings in a journal. If you still feel down or sad, ask your parents to help you find a counselor.
It is okay to ask for help.

Speak up

There are many people who care about you and want to help you stay healthy and happy. Your health care team (diabetes educator, dietitian, doctor, nurse, psychologist, and social worker) can help you learn how to make healthy food choices, be more active, and feel good about yourself. Stay in touch with them.
Let your health care team know how you feel and what you need.

Let your school know what’s up

You or your parents need to give the school nurse, teacher, or other
school staff a copy of your diabetes care plan. Let people at your school
know you have diabetes and that you need to eat healthy foods, eat
your meals, take your medicine on time, and be physically active.
Don’t let diabetes stop you from joining in school activities. You can
do all the things your friends do and then some!

Still my friend?

Ever worry that your friends may have wrong ideas about diabetes?

1. Tell them that you have diabetes. You don’t have to keep it to yourself. The more people know about diabetes, the more they will understand. Explain that your body needs help to use the food you eat.

2. Be sure everyone knows that no one can catch diabetes from you.
3. Good friends help each other out. They understand your needs and offer support. Hang on to friends who help you make healthy food choices when you are eating out.
4. Ever have kids make fun of you about your diabetes or weight? Teasing hurts. The best thing is to just walk away.