Asthma

Many people with diabetes travel regularly without major problems. Some people with diabetes also participate in extreme sports, although it’s often against medical advice. When traveling abroad, people with diabetes — particularly those with type 1 diabetes — must take extra precautions.

The two major travel concerns for people with insulin-dependent diabetes are the availability of insulin and their ability to control their diet. Insulin may not be readily available in some locations and not all countries follow the same quality standards. Travelers must carry extra insulin with them in case they encounter travel delays.

The availability of healthy and safe-to-eat foods at your destination is a concern for people with both types of diabetes since following a consistently healthy diet is a key factor in managing the condition. It is essential that travelers with diabetes research the available cuisine and its safety in any countries they expect to visit and plan ahead about how they will meet their dietary needs.

Traveling also induces stress that can cause variations in individuals’ daily needs for insulin, so they must be more vigilant in monitoring their blood sugar levels. Those with recently diagnosed diabetes should not travel until they have mastered good control of their blood sugar levels.

Individuals with diabetes who plan to scuba dive face other issues of particular concern. In previous years individuals with diabetes (especially type 1) who chose to dive typically did so against medical advice by hiding their condition. More recently, however, there has been a shift away from a blanket prohibition on diving with diabetes, due in part to antidiscrimination laws and to the growing record of safe diving by individuals with diabetes. It is now possible in many countries for people with diabetes to receive dive training and to dive safely.

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