If you have diabetes then you are going to have to be prepared when you are going on a foreign holiday. One of the first things you need to sort out is your holiday insurance, because you have a pre-existing condition no matter how chronic it is you have to inform the insurer.
You can inform your insurer over the phone if you are planning on getting insured by a specific company. You may however find that your premiums are significantly increased due to the perceived increased risk to the insurer. Another option is to get a quote from a company that specialises in providing diabetic travel insurance.
Every country will have different policies with regards to medication, although many people do take medication with them when they go on holiday. It may be necessary for you to obtain a certificate from your doctor in case you are stopped at customs and you need to prove the medication you are carrying is for your own condition.
It is recommended that you take more insulin with you than you need, this is in case some of the insulin becomes lost or damaged. It will be difficult to get replacements when you are abroad. A handy tip is to split your medication between different pieces of luggage to protect against the chance of your luggage being lost or stolen.
Make sure you are wearing your diabetic identity, if you do not usually wear one getting one for the trip will help others if you should become ill or unconscious. It is also useful to bring your prescriptions and a note of any vaccines you have taken for the trip which will help foreign medics treat you should you need it. It is better to be prepared for the worse.
Being well prepared also means you can relax and enjoy your holiday more without having to worry about everything. If you are travelling on your own it is even more important to be prepared as there will not be anyone to explain your situation should anything happen. You can also relax knowing you have a holiday insurance policy that will cover your specific needs.
