Type 2 diabetes is a chronic illness that develops from becoming hyperglycemic, reaching a point where the levels of blood glucose (blood sugar) are too high to be regulated appropriately and causing complications in most organs of the body over time. Estimates show that as many as 589 million people struggle with this health problem across the globe, and 252 million don’t realize they have it.
As dangerous as this illness can be to your health, it’s treatable, and you can live a long life while keeping it under control. If you decide to travel and you’re dealing with diabetes, however, there are some things you should do to be ready and stay safe while you’re away.
Melanchton A. Mangoba, MD, and his team are here to help Riverside, California, residents dealing with diabetes and many other medical issues, and can offer tips for staying safe when traveling on the road or abroad. Let’s learn more about this disease and what you need to do to stay safe when dealing with it, whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure.
Blood sugar is necessary to provide fuel for the cells in our bodies, and we get most of it from the foods and drinks we ingest. The pancreas produces the hormone insulin, which is responsible for removing excess blood sugar and regulating healthy levels in the body.
When your body becomes resistant to insulin or too much blood sugar overwhelms its ability to perform its function correctly, hyperglycemia and diabetes are the result.
The excess of blood sugar that causes diabetes results from insulin resistance or blood sugar imbalance, and several factors can cause this, such as autoimmune diseases, hormonal imbalances, pancreatic damage, unhealthy diet, and inactivity.
Early stages of diabetes can be asymptomatic, but over time, you will experience signs like blurred vision, frequent urination, fatigue, slow-healing wounds, unexplained weight fluctuations, increased hunger and thirst, and numbness and tingling in your limbs.
The complications vary and include hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS), diabetic ketoacidosis, hypoglycemia (severely low blood sugar), cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, diabetic retinopathy, kidney failure, and sexual dysfunction.
To stay safe when traveling with diabetes, try following these steps:
Whichever method of travel you’re using, be sure to call in advance and let them know to determine if any precautions or special needs must be met for your medical supplies.
Dietary changes are vital for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, and when you’re bringing food with you or going out to enjoy food with friends, it's essential to be aware of the options available to help keep glucose levels under control.
Whether you’re traveling with friends or family or making new friends when you’re out, keep people informed with medical identification or in other ways to make sure medical professionals know if something happens.
Keeping things like insulin vials and other diabetic care safe will help avoid complications of having to find them elsewhere or running any health risks. Also, be sure to pack more than you need in case something happens, and label things so you don’t lose track.
And since we’re discussing medical supplies, it’s also essential to keep them both in a location where you know you can find them quickly and within reach for easy access when needed.
These helpful hints can make a significant difference in your travel experience if you have diabetes. For more tips, schedule an appointment online or by phone with Dr. Mangoba and his team today.
