LEXINGTON, Ky. — As summer travel season approaches, UK HealthCare’s Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center is offering guidance to help people with diabetes manage their condition while away from home, according to a health column published by the University of Kentucky. Registered dietitians Nick Gunn and Courtney Rogers, who serve as apprentice diabetes educators at the center, outline key strategies for maintaining blood sugar control during vacations.
Rising temperatures during summer travel create distinct challenges for diabetes management. The Barnstable Brown Diabetes Center, established in 2008, treats thousands of adults and children annually and emphasizes that changes in climate, meal timing, physical activity, sleep and medication schedules can significantly impact blood glucose levels. More frequent blood sugar monitoring becomes critical during warm months, as increased physical activity, hot weather and dehydration all increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Insulin storage demands special attention while traveling. According to the American Diabetes Association, unopened insulin should be refrigerated, though most insulin products can remain at room temperature for up to 28 days once opened. However, insulin should never be exposed to extreme heat, direct sunlight or freezing temperatures. Travelers should pack insulin in insulated travel bags or cooler packs and keep it in carry-on luggage during flights to avoid temperature extremes in checked baggage.
Meal timing disruptions pose another challenge when traveling. Skipping meals or eating at irregular times increases the risk of both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. The experts recommend prioritizing balanced meals and carrying convenient snacks throughout the day. For low blood sugar treatment, travelers should choose options that won’t melt in heat or be confiscated by TSA, such as glucose tablets, hard candies or snack-sized candy packages.
Certain diabetes medications, including long-acting insulin, metformin and GLP-1 receptor agonists, must be taken at the same time each day. Traveling across time zones can complicate medication schedules, so the experts recommend planning ahead and setting reminders to maintain medication adherence. Essential items to pack include insulin, testing supplies, pump or continuous glucose monitor components, glucagon emergency supplies, medical identification, printed prescriptions and an insurance card. The golden rule of packing is to bring two times the supplies, two ways to give insulin, two ways to check glucose, and fast sugar in every bag.
People with diabetes can “travel safely and confidently while still enjoying their summer adventures” through proper preparation and planning, according to the health column.
This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from University of Kentucky News, enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at https://uknow.uky.edu/uk-healthcare/managing-diabetes-go.
