Flying With Diabetes – Does Flying Affect Blood Sugar?

Flying with diabetes can be a scary adventure. Even if you have it under control on the ground, your blood sugar can go haywire when you are in the air. The food, stress, and changes in atmospheric pressure all affect how well your body manages its glucose levels. But there are things that you can do to make flying easier and keep yourself healthy!

Key Facts

Does Blood Sugar Increase During Fight or Flight?

When we find ourselves in a scary or stressful situation, our bodies release adrenaline, which may cause blood sugar to increase. This is one of the reasons why people with diabetes have trouble managing their levels when they fly, and it's also important to know that not everyone experiences this phenomenon. If you experience increased blood sugar while flying, reduce stress, ensure you are hydrated, watch out for fatigue, and eat healthily.

1. Reduce your stress levels

Staying calm and relaxed before, during, and after your flight is essential. Relax on the ground for a few hours before departure, walk around the terminal to increase blood flow, or meditate with soothing music if you're in first class (or have access). Avoid getting too stressed about anything happening during the flight, including turbulence! If it gets awful, focus on how soon your feet will return to solid ground. And finally, when you land, put yourself at ease by eating something sweet like a snack bar so your body can start processing glucose again as quickly as possible.

Always make sure you have all your medication safely stored and have access to it. If you need assistance with your diabetes medication, inform the cabin crew at least 24 hours before departure time when you arrive at the airport. Talk to airport security so they are up to date about your situation. This will prevent any issues when your luggage has to go through the x-ray machine or body scanner later.

Some people will find that they have a "diabetic crash" on an airplane! In this case, you can only drink water and try not to consume too much food, especially sugar. If it gets awful, focus on how soon your feet will return to solid ground.

Tips for managing diabetes while flying: Take care of yourself by staying hydrated, eating healthy snacks like granola bars or nuts, and packing some crackers in your carry-on bag. Stay updated with what's happening around you so that situational awareness is maintained during the flight.

2. Always stay hydrated

Drink lots of water before boarding because dehydration while flying could be dangerous. Regulate your blood sugar levels and plan your food intake carefully to avoid hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels). 

3. Eat healthy

As a person with diabetes, it's crucial always to eat healthy. It's no different on an airplane, but it could be more difficult. You'll have to be prepared and pack snacks in your carry-on bag.

Many airlines offer diabetic-friendly food, but it might not always be available for purchase through the airline website or onboard the flight because they overbook their flights. But don't worry—there's a list of disability service providers who can help you pre-purchase these foods ahead of time!

The best way is to plan meals beforehand so that you know what you're eating before boarding the plane. Eat something light, like bread/bun sandwiches, rather than fries, which may fluctuate your blood sugar levels more quickly! It's also a good idea to avoid high-fat foods and sugar while flying with diabetes because they can cause blood glucose levels to rise within a short time. Avoid taking medications that may affect your blood sugar or insulin dosages without consulting your doctor first. If you take medication, talk with the flight attendants about when would be best for them to assist you so as not to disrupt other passengers around you on the plane. Most attendants will gladly assist even without asking them specifically.

4. Watch out for fatigue

Be sure to have a good night's sleep and be on the lookout for signs of fatigue. Also, if you're tired or sleepy, try drinking some water, as hydration will help your alertness! If you are traveling somewhere that is lower in altitude than where you live at home (e.g., Denver, CO vs. Washington, DC), make an appointment with your doctor before flying so they can give you advice about what to do while adjusting back to sea level after arriving at the destination.

Check Your Blood Glucose Levels More Often

It's important to check your blood glucose levels often when flying with diabetes. Check them at least every hour after meals and more often if you have any changes in appetite or activity level, are feeling ill or faint, experience extreme thirst or nausea, see visual disturbances (such as flashing lights), or feel lightheaded or dizzy.

One helpful thing for people managing their diabetes while on a plane is having "emergency supplies" nearby. These include extra insulin pens just in case the one you're using runs out and sugar tablets to raise low blood sugars quickly. It's best to avoid eating sugary foods between regular meals because they will raise your blood sugar.

Don’t Pack All Your Diabetes Supplies in Your Overhead Luggage

Pack your diabetic supplies in a separate bag from your clothes. This is very important for first-time flyers because you want to ensure that the supplies are always with you and not left in the overhead compartment or lost altogether! If you pack your diabetic supplies in your main luggage, some of them can also freeze.

• A few needles for giving yourself insulin injections
• Larger items like a glucose meter or blood testing kit and extra test strips
• Extra continuous glucose monitor
• Extra insulin is critical
• Other diabetes supplies or other extra supplies

If any other special equipment is needed, such as an insulin pump, bring it separately.

Can I Take My Insulin and Needles on a Plane?

Your doctor may prescribe a different type of insulin before, during, and after your flight. To avoid feeling too low or lightheaded from hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels), you can inject small amounts of the appropriate diabetes medication in between meals on board to keep blood sugar stable.

You can bring your own insulin pens and vials through an airport checkpoint, but they will need to be inspected by security personnel. It is best to carry these in a clear plastic bag, along with any syringes that may come with the pen or box of needles. You should also make sure to have enough medication on hand for the duration of your trip. If you are flying internationally, then customs officials might confiscate them, which means carrying extra insulin as backup isn't recommended because there could very well not be medical outlets available during the flight when something happens--not all airports abroad offer regular pharmacies open 24 hours a day, seven days per week.

How to Pack Insulin for a Plane?

Insulin is your best friend on a plane. Pack insulin in carry-on luggage and keep it with you at all times so that if any delays happen or the checked bag is lost, you'll have enough supplies for several days.

Keep in mind that altitude changes and new time zones can affect how much insulin you need and other medications you might be taking, like sleeping aids and pain relievers. In general, bring more than what's usually needed just to be safe!

Do not put it near anything frozen. This could cause problems with potency when brought back to normal temperatures. Insulin should never be below the freezing point.

Wear Comfortable Clothing to Make Your Flight Easier

You want to wear clothes that will keep your body temperature regulated. If you're cold, put on a sweater or jacket; if it's warm in the cabin and too hot for you, remove layers of clothing 

1. Comfortable shoes

Not only do they take up space under the seat, but being without shoes when flying can result in swelling due to poor circulation. Make sure these are tied tightly before takeoff so they don't come off during the flight. Diabetic shoes are always a great solution for people with diabetes.

2. Flight socks

There is no need to remind you how vital blood circulation is, especially with the blood sugar variations we diabetic travelers usually experience. You'll also want to be mindful of the length of your flights. Try changing positions and flexing ankles often to keep blood flowing.

Wear socks or footies to maintain blood circulation in your feet. This will help prevent swelling, which can make it difficult for you to walk and cause pain.

Extra Tips and Tricks

• Pack snacks, water, and an extra meal in your carry-on bag
• Make sure you pack enough supplies for the length of your flight—some airlines will provide these things, but others don't. They're usually called diabetic travel necessities and include lancets (or finger-prick blood sugar test strips), tubing, insulin pens or cartridges with needles, glucose tabs, testing solutions, and syringes to inject insulin just before takeoff (if needed).
• Keep a copy of all medications, including prescriptions, and any doctor's contact information handy in case something happens while traveling! You should also keep a list of emergency contacts that are not coming with you because if anything were to happen, they would be able to handle it at home without
• Book a direct flight if possible. Transfers are less convenient because you must go through security twice and deal with the hassle of lines.
• When booking, try finding flights that depart at off hours like 11 pm or take early morning flights so your body can wake up naturally without adjusting for the time zone change before boarding.
• If you fly often enough, ask about any airport deals that offer discounted parking fees or food vouchers when flying out of certain airports.

Conclusion

Planning is key when it comes to managing diabetes. Always pack all your supplies in a carry-on bag with ice packs or frozen gel packs and bring them through the security checkpoint so they don't get lost or delayed by TSA agents.

Always stay hydrated, eat healthy snacks on the plane that are low in carbohydrates and high in protein (the best options include nuts or cheese), wear comfortable clothing so that you're not squirming around uncomfortably during takeoffs and landings, and pack all of your medications/supplies into two bags instead of one bag so they don't get lost.

Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels throughout your flight will reduce the chances of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia episodes that can make travel uncomfortable for everyone on board. Keep these tips in mind as you plan out your next trip!