32
VOLUME 10 NUMBER 1 • MARCH 2013
SA JOURNAL OF DIABETES & VASCULAR DISEASE
Patients as Partners
HELPING PATIENTS ON INSULIN TO
TRAVEL SAFELY
S Afr J Diabetes Vasc Dis
2013;
10
: 32–35
Sandra Waddingham
Diabetes Co-ordinator North Lancs PCT
Sandra Waddingham is the Diabetes Coor-
dinator for North Lancashire PCT, following
extensive experience as a practice nurse
and an MSc in diabetes care from Warwick
University. She led the implementation of the
NSF for diabetes, including developing a tier
2 intermediate clinic service and a patient
education programme and improving the
involvement of service users in the develop-
ment of diabetes services. She currently
leads the diabetes team in delivering the
X-pert patient education programme.
P
eople with diabetes need to plan carefully
for holidays, especially if they are treated
with insulin. Although much of the advice
will be the same as for the general population, these
patients are more vulnerable and will need to take
particular care in looking after themselves to avoid
any ill health while away from home.
GOING ABROAD
Holiday injections and malaria prophylaxis are ex-
actly the same for people with diabetes as for eve-
ryone else. However, advice regarding safe food and
water for some destinations, using bottled water and
avoiding ice cubes is very important to avoid sick-
ness and diarrhoea while away from home. People
with diabetes will struggle to maintain stable blood
glucose levels if vomiting and diarrhoea occur. Pre-
ventive measures therefore should be emphasised,
pointing out the particular risks to people with diabe-
tes and especially in those taking insulin.
PREVENTING DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS (DVT)
Diabetes sufferers are at a higher risk than the gen-
eral population of developing a deep vein throm-
bosis (DVT). Advice about how to improve circula-
tion, avoiding alcohol and drinking plenty of water
should be given. Long-haul flights increase the risk
of DVT, especially if little or no exercise is attempted.
People who remain immobile during long coach
trips are also at risk, although there is usually more
opportunity for periodic exercise as most coaches
stop at services every few hours.
Most people with diabetes will already be taking
aspirin. If not, consideration should be given to tak-
ing this, especially if travel arrangements will mean
long periods of inactivity. The usual dose of 75 mg
should be maintained – an increase in dose would
not be appropriate.
MEDICINES AND EQUIPMENT
An adequate supply of regular medication, including
insulin and essential equipment such as glucom-
eters and test strips, should be taken to comfortably
cover the whole of the trip. These should to be car-
ried in hand luggage in case they are needed during
the journey and because the luggage hold is likely to
freeze, which could damage some medicines, with
insulin being particularly vulnerable. There is also
Originally in:
Prim Care Nursing
2012;
30–32
