Living with DIABETES (Part-II)
Living with DIABETES (Continue)
Travel
Travel is a part of the spice of life . A little change of scene is as good for diabetics as for nondiabetics . along with a change of scene , however , comes a change in personal care routines . As a diabetic you should plan for changes in your routines ahead of time by consulting your health care team . Plan as far ahead as possible .
- Carry enough supplies with you so that , if you stay away longer than you originally plan , you won’t have to look for supplies .
- In a separate case , carry your urine or blood testing equipment as well as insulin , syringes and swabs . Don’t pack these items in luggage that you check on a plane , train or a bus .
- Carry identification indicating that you have diabetes and information about your medication and dosage. Carry a prescription from your doctor for your insulin and syringes . Carry antinausea medication as well as medication to relieve possible vomiting and diarrhea .
- Plan to alter your meal according to your travel plans . For example , when travelling by car , plan on having extra food supplies with you to avoid an insulin reaction . You can keep hard candy , raisins , graham crackers , or fruit candy .
- Store your insulin in a cool place such as inside the car with you rather than in a trunk or glove compartment , where it might be extremely warm or exposed to heat or sun .
- If you are flying , be prepared to change your insulin injection procedure if you need to have an insulin injection while in the air . Plan on putting about half the usual amount of air into your insulin bottle to balance for pressure in the cabin in a high altitude flight .
- Be aware of changing time zones and administer your insulin injections and have your meals on your home time rather than according to the time zone you are in . Your health care team will assist you in planning ahead for time zone changes of two hours or more .
- Because travelling causes special stresses , it will be important to continue testing your glucose levels frequently to be sure that your diabetes in under control . If you notice high sugar readings , try to exercise more and reduce your intake of carbohydrates . Your health care team will give you instructions t follow regarding changes in insulin doses if your glucose level can’t be controlled with exercise and carbohydrates.
Eating Out
Eating out can fun for you as well as your companions . The difference is that you , as a diabetic , will want to remember to fit your eating out into your overall meal plan and allotted exchanges for each day . You will want to be careful to keep high sugar foods at a minimum and avoid highly salted foods . Watch portion sizes so that you do not unknowingly consume too many calories during one meal .
- Become familiar with your meal plan . Know it well . If you can’t remember it all , carry a copy with you . Become familiar with foods and portion sizes on your exchange lists .
- Ask question about how food is prepared before you order it . Try to advise your hosts or the restaurants you patronize that you have diabetes to avoid meal delays and inappropriate meals .
- When you know that there will be a wait for a table in a restaurant or at a group meal , such as banquet , carry a snack to eat while waiting but then plan to eliminate part of meal to account for the snack in your total daily calorie intake .
- Ask local restaurant owners to provide more menu variety , more salad bars , and better beverage choices . Be a strong consumer and make your desire and your needs known .
- Ask for substitutions in restaurants . If appropriate foods are part of meal , ask for another food in their place or simply skip some foods but maintain the calories and balance of your meal . Choose food that are not prepared with sauces or gravies . Try to avoid breaded or creamed dishes ; they are likely to be higher in calories then plainer foods .
Care of Elderly Diabetics
Some older persons with diabetes find the routine of their diabetic care stressful and sometimes fail to comply with recommendations for control of their disease . If you have an older relative in your household who requires special attention to diabetic control , you can be supportive by reinforcing the physicians instructions , emphasizing the need for constant control of the disease , and assisting the person in personal care routines . Careful bathing and care of feet and teeth may prevent damaging infections .
Many elderly diabetics have chronic ill health and find some assistance by social service and home health care groups helpful . Some who are unable to continue living in their homes , caring for themselves , considered moving into sheltered care facilities . Elderly persons living in retirement hotels or nursing homes should make their diabetic needs known to the staff nurses and others in charge so that meals and lifestyle will be conducive to control this disease .