Are you a parent of a diabetic child? Then, you may feel hassle in taking your diabetic child on holiday. You may feel cursed, but you shouldn’t because at least it is portable. Any diabetic patient irrespective of the type can travel anywhere, but the only thing is you need to consider additional things and precautions than a normal traveler.
Type 1 diabetes in children occurs when your immune system destroys the beta cells present in your pancreas. It is similar to type 2 diabetes, but in secondary diabetes, your immune system doesn’t destroy the beta cells, which makes insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the cells are damaged due to other reasons such as injury or disease to the pancreas.
Type 1 diabetes can happen at any age but mostly happens to children aged below 20. Everyday life for children with diabetes can be daunting. This is because children with diabetes are more likely to experience symptoms such as dry mouth, nausea and vomiting, pain in your belly, and frequent urination. Traveling with a diabetic child can be risky and challenging because of the following reasons.
- Changes in activity levels
- Variations in diet plan
- Too much or too little sleep
- Impact of stress
Precautions To Follow While Travelling With a Diabetic Child
Even a small change can have a drastic effect on the overall health of diabetic children. They may face challenges because of the changing blood sugar levels, which can lead to severe problems. Before any trip, consult your child’s healthcare provider who can provide you with extra precautions while traveling with a diabetic child. Here are a few tips to follow while traveling with a diabetic child.
- Consult Your Child’s Doctor: Before the trip, consult your child’s doctor because they can support you with the medications, insulin devices, and injection supplies. He may provide you with the pre-travel guidelines that are necessary for traveling with a diabetic child.
- Prepare Your Child For An Emergency Board: Wearing a medical bracelet or necklace indicates that your child is a diabetic patient. It would be wise to become the members of the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (IAMAT). It can help you find out skilled and qualified medical experts in that place.
- Pack All The Diabetic Supplies: Always pack your child’s diabetic supplies required to manage blood sugar levels in your child. The diabetic supplies to be packed include insulin and insulin-loaded dispensing products, blood glucose meters, blood glucose meter test strips, glucagon emergency kit, and urine ketone test strips.
- Buy A Travel Insurance: Buying travel insurance can reduce your risk of incurring additional expenses. Even if you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), it is always suggested to buy travel insurance. EHIC does not cover things such as emergency repatriation and a few others.
- Consider Regular Exercises: Exercises helps your child in controlling both blood levels and sugar levels. Especially if your child has type 1 diabetes, talk to your child’s healthcare provider before starting exercising.
Conclusion:
Hope all our tips work! Always give some time to your child before you provide any physical activity. Talk to your child’s doctor who can provide a transition plan whenever you are to move out of the house. Be cautious and find a doctor in advance in the location you are traveling. If you have any queries unresolved, contact our doctors today!