It's that time of year again! That's right, the holidays are here, and with them come family gatherings, parties, events, and—our favorite—travel. You may be planning a trip to spend the holidays with your family or taking a much-needed vacation. Or you're simply jet-setting because with more remote work options and travel restrictions easing up worldwide, you finally can! Whatever your reasons are, it's never too early to start planning.
Planning any kind of travel can be challenging, and air travel is high up on that list. While it may be easier to travel locally, domestic and international flights have one thing in common, and that's going through more extensive customs and airport security checks. Unfortunately, no matter how well you plan your trip, there’s always a chance it’s going to be chaotic and stressful. And if you're trying to do it while managing healthcare devices, prescription medications, and diabetes supplies (yes, like the CGM!), it can be a little more complicated.
If you wear your CGM to optimize your health, you may consider removing it while you fly and putting on a new sensor once you reach your destination. But if you have diabetes, you likely rely on continuous glucose monitoring to manage your health every day. And even if you're not diabetic, there are many reasons why you may prefer to keep your CGM on. For example, you may have just put on a new sensor, or your trip is too short to wear and remove a new one before flights to and from your destination.
Just the stress of traveling can affect your blood glucose levels, so why not find a way to keep your CGM on through it? Is it possible to do so? Absolutely! But before you fly, remember that there are some things you need to keep in mind. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has specific rules and requirements for air travel, including special procedures for people with diabetes. Remember that TSA agents and security officers assist people with diabetic devices like insulin pumps, insulin pens, syringes, and lancets all the time. So they will likely help you out even if you're not totally up to speed. But since it always helps to be prepared, read on for a few travel tips.
Want to continue wearing your CGM on vacation? Wondering if your CGM can go through airport security, or if it has to be packed into your checked luggage? The good news is that flying with a CGM really isn't that complicated. In fact, all you really need to do is follow the travel procedures set in place by the transportation and security in the country you're flying in and out of. Here are a few things you may want to keep in mind:
The first thing you should know is that CGM devices may malfunction if they're exposed to X-ray machines or full-body scanners like the ones the TSA uses at most airports. Metal detectors and hand-wands should not have any impact on them. Inform TSA agents that you are wearing a CGM or carrying one in your luggage so that they can arrange alternative security screening options for you. CGMs are safe to store in your carry-on bag, but avoid packing your sensors in your checked luggage. If you're traveling internationally, you may want to check the type of body scanners that airports in other countries use, but they're likely the same or similar machines.
Pack your boarding pass, your passport… and don’t forget your medication, prescriptions, and a doctor’s note! If you have diabetes, you can carry anything you need for diabetes care and management on your person. Still, getting a letter from your doctor may help expedite the screening process when you're speaking with a TSA agent. If you're carrying other medical devices and diabetes supplies like insulin pumps, insulin delivery devices, syringes, or lancets, this can spare you from being at the receiving end of too many questions from security officers.
Your prescription will usually be enough to bypass these issues. If you're planning international air travel, it can be helpful to translate your doctor's note into the language of the country you are visiting so security staff there have an easier time reading it. Printing out a TSA notification card ahead of time can also help reduce any confusion or additional questions. When you arrive at the TSA checkpoint, you can simply hand it over to a TSA officer.
It isn't necessary to have a doctor's note or a TSA notification card. But it can be a good solution if you don't like to draw attention to yourself or talk about your medical conditions. You can also call TSA Cares ahead of your travel date and inform them about your need for an alternative screening process. This is especially important if you're traveling with a child who is wearing a CGM. Security checks and pat-downs for children have to be supervised, and it may save you some time at the airport if you call ahead. The process may differ in different countries, so check with local airports well in advance.
Now that you know how to travel safely with your CGM, you may be wondering what you can do if you experience fluctuating blood glucose levels. So many things can weigh in to affect your blood sugar while you are on the move: changes in altitude, stress, eating food on the go, fatigue, atmospheric pressure, and more. Diabetics often find their blood sugar rising when they're in the air. But, even for those who don't have diabetes, it can be helpful to prepare, just in case. Here's how to prepare so you can keep your blood glucose levels stable during your journey:
Do your best to plan for your day of travel. Think about how you would typically eat to maintain your blood glucose. Try to pack some healthy protein to eat instead of buying food on the go or at the airport. It's much harder to regulate what you eat when you aren't in complete control of the preparation. Good grab-and-go options include nuts, hard-boiled eggs, protein boxes, and vegetables and dip, among others.
If you experience low blood sugar, you may want to keep a sugary snack with you and carry a hypoglycemia kit. Keep them on your person on the plane in case of turbulence. This way, you'll have no trouble accessing them at any time. If you experience high blood sugar, it's a good idea to pack low carbohydrate, low sugar snacks to deal with hunger cravings in the air. Airlines usually have sugary and carbohydrate-heavy snacks, so be sure to bring your own or plan to pick something up on the go.
Hydration is key to day-to-day blood sugar control, but this is even more important when you're flying. Flying can cause dehydration, which can lead to some difficulty breaking down sugar which will then lead to higher glucose values. Make sure you always have a bottle of water on hand while you fly, and don't hesitate to ask a flight attendant for extra if you feel thirsty mid-air!
Did you know that sitting for too long when you're on a plane can cause blood clots? It's not a good idea to sit for hours at a time whether you're traveling or not. But during air travel, in particular, it's important to stretch your legs as often as possible. If you're on a long flight, try to book an aisle seat, so it's easier to get up and take a little walk up and down the aisle. This will help regulate your blood sugar levels and keep you feeling good while you fly.
This may not seem necessary, especially if you're wearing a CGM to optimize your health and don't have diabetes. But if you haven't traveled in a while or noticed changes in your glucose levels, it's helpful to discuss your travel plans with a doctor before you start packing. They can often have helpful information and tips that you may not have thought of. It will also be helpful to request a copy of your prescriptions (and keep digital backups!) in case anything happens to them during your journey or at your destination, especially if you're traveling internationally.
Ready to track and monitor your glucose levels regardless of where your travel takes you this holiday season? People with diabetes have been using CGMs for years, but the CDC recommends checking your glucose levels even if you're not showing symptoms.
CGMs are a great way to start a preventive health plan, and now anyone can get one thanks to NutriSense, which offers the same technology for the public for the first time. The best part is that you can use their continuous glucose monitors with an innovative app that tracks your blood glucose levels in real-time. There's also a team of registered dietitians to help you read and understand the data.
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