One of the main developments in the treatment of diabetes is the invention of continual glucose monitors and insulin pumps. These things aren’t massively new but their innovation was recent enough that they’re not as widely used as the more traditional methods are.
The insulin pump will give you your doses automatically at certain times of the day, removing the need for you to inject yourself. The continual glucose monitor will, oddly, continually monitor your blood-glucose levels so that you can best predict when you’re going to need your insulin.
So, you’re using these two gadgets and you’re off on holiday. That’s great but there are certain things you’re going to need to take into account potential risks and safe guard your health and wellbeing.
Firstly, go and speak to your doctor and make them aware of just when you’re travelling and where you’re going etc. You’re going to want to ask for a note explaining your condition and the equipment you’re going to have on you. This is really important and could well save you from all sorts of issues at the airport.
The main thing you’re going to need to deal with is that a lot of continual glucose monitors and insulin pumps can be damaged by the scanners used at airports. Manufacturers recommend disconnecting the devices immediately should they be exposed as they’re unsure what kind of damage could be done, there’s the potential that it could be fairly severe and may harm you. The note from your doctor should allow you to pass without using the screening procedures, though the security officers will likely want to use a hand scanner on you. This is fine as there’s no evidence that these will damage your equipment.
You also need to be aware that the cabin pressure, while flying, may have an effect on your insulin pump. It may cause it to give you more insulin per dose than it otherwise would. This shouldn’t be dangerous for adults but in children or teenagers who are smaller and affected more profoundly than adults by insulin, this could be potentially dangerous. In these cases patients should keep an eye on their children’s blood-glucose levels in case they start to drop dangerously low.
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