Travel and type 1 diabetes

Planning international or domestic travel well in advance is essential for patients with type 1 diabetes.

All patients should carry documentation of their diabetes history, current medications and equipment, including written documentation in the language of the country of destination. This is essential if medical attention is needed while travelling or to prove need for medication and equipment when passing through customs or border security when travelling overseas.

Patients should seek specific advice from their multidisciplinary diabetes team about managing their diabetes while travelling. Patients with type 1 diabetes should be given individualised instructions about blood glucose concentration monitoring and adjusting doses of their insulin, especially if they are travelling across different time zones. Sick-day management plans should be updated (see Sick-day management for adults with type 1 diabetes) and suitable emergency contacts provided for the patient’s destination. Patients will need to take extra medication and equipment (including a spare glucose meter) and be warned to avoid extremes of temperature that can inactivate insulin.

In case of hypoglycaemia, both fast-acting carbohydrate (eg jelly beans, glucose gel, glucose tablets) and slower-acting carbohydrate (eg sandwich, dried fruit, dry biscuit) should be carried in hand luggage. As travellers often eat foods that are different from their normal diet, extra care is needed when calculating insulin doses and more frequent blood glucose monitoring may be required.

Encourage long-distance travellers with diabetes to remain ambulant if possible before, during and after travelling. During travel, leg exercises should be performed while seated. This activity may help to maintain blood glucose concentrations within target range and prevent deep vein thrombosis.

Diabetes Australia website also has comprehensive information for patients about planning a trip, travel insurance, airport regulation, what to ask their doctor, tips on what to pack and practicalities of air travel. The Australian Government Smartraveller website has comprehensive advice (including about vaccinations) for all patients travelling out of Australia.