Health Center - Diabetes
About eight percent of all Americans have diabetes, and the rate is increasing. Learn more about this prevalent and life-threatening disease, including common symptoms, how it affects your health, tips to manage it and prevent complications and ways to reduce your risk factors.
Diabetes Guide
Diabetes Lifestyle Tips
Call your airline to find out how to bring syringes and lancets through security checkpoints. Keep the outside boxes of your insulin and/or glucagon, so the prescription labels can be shown to security, bring a medical letter documenting your diabetes, and speak to the security guard in advance. Carry snacks in case your meal doesn't arrive soon enough. Don't pack insulin in your checked luggage; it will be damaged by extreme temperatures in the cargo hold. Keep your diabetes supplies nearby, not in the overhead compartment, so they're accessible at all times. Drink bottled water to stay hydrated.
When dining out
Dining out can be an enjoyable experience for people with diabetes with a little advance planning. Concentrate on the three Ps: planning, portions and preparation. Many restaurants publish their menus online. Take a look at the menu and decide before you go what you are going to have. This can help avoid overeating and assist you in figuring out the carbohydrate and fat content of the meal in advance if you are dosing insulin to your food intake. As for portions, splitting a meal with a friend or having the server wrap half of the meal before it comes to the table can help you stick to your meal plan while taking care of tomorrow's lunch. Finally, remember that you are in charge. If the menu doesn't explain how a dish is prepared, ask. Most restaurants are happy to substitute something else that is already on the menu, such as another vegetable in place of rice.
Cut down the costs of diabetes
