Traveling in Vietnam: 7 notes for patients and tourists with diabetes
By Van Vu
03/11/2024
Vietnam is an ideal destination for many Vietnamese tourists. This article will share some notes for tourists with diabetes to have a fun and meaningful trip, helping to improve their mental life and contribute to improving the physical health of the family in general and diabetic patients in particular.
Vietnam is an ideal destination for many Vietnamese tourists. This article will share some notes for tourists with diabetes to have a fun and meaningful trip, helping to improve their mental life and contribute to improving the physical health of the family in general and diabetic patients in particular.
For a safe and complete trip, please remember the 7 notes in this article with iguide.
When traveling, diabetic patients should note the following 7 things
1. Talk to your doctor before your trip.
You should ask and discuss with your doctor more specific notes when traveling. Your doctor will clearly provide your current health status which is suitable for which activities, specific diets to note, etc. It is important to plan your prescriptions for the entire trip as well as contact your doctor if necessary during the travel period (1).
2. Prepare necessary documents
In addition to the necessary identification documents, patients should bring their medical records/examination papers and prescriptions. In case the patient needs health support from a medical facility at the place of travel, correct and up-to-date health documents will help doctors diagnose your condition more quickly and accurately.
If the patient is traveling by air, diagnostic documentation and prescriptions will be required at check-in to assist the patient in transporting medications on the plane, especially insulin.
3. Prepare medicine and medical supplies
Each diabetic patient will have a different treatment and use different medications. Some therapies will not be easy to find when traveling to a far away place. Therefore, before traveling, plan a specific time plan. Patients should calculate the amount of medication they need and reserve a few days' worth. In case you cannot return home as planned, you will still have enough medication to avoid interruption of treatment.
4. Learn about medical facilities at your destination
Learn about major/nearby local medical facilities
On long trips, unexpected events can arise. Finding the right medication for a diabetic patient in a timely manner can be quite difficult. Patients should know about major local hospitals before going as well as ask about the nearest reputable pharmacies.
Prepare medicine and medical supplies
5. Create a suitable diet for the whole family
When planning a trip, you also need to know the route of the places you are going to and the menu there. If you do not have time to eat, try to prepare snacks to avoid hunger. Being subjective at this point can cause you to have hypoglycemia - an extremely dangerous complication of Diabetes.
Local cuisine is also one of the issues that need to be carefully studied because diabetic patients need a stricter diet than usual. Some patients are likely to get hungry quickly or are allergic to strange cuisine. In addition, tourist cuisine is often specialties with typical processing methods, which may not ensure nutritional balance. Researching in advance and planning your own menu as well as limiting your portion size will help limit risks.
Avoid alcohol and stimulants. In the bustling atmosphere of Tet, people tend to have fun and eat without control. Families need to remind each other to moderate their alcohol use.
6. Maintain regular exercise
Long trips and outings can easily make patients tired and exhausted. To prepare for a fun and comfortable trip, it is necessary to gradually exercise in advance. Exercising 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week is recommended to maintain health. If you have been sedentary before, you can start at a lower level. It is important to keep a "regular" pace so that the body gets used to exercise and improves endurance.
Regular exercise also helps a lot in improving your spirit, avoiding unnecessary lethargy during fun occasions. Limit overexertion on hot days because the patient can become dehydrated and even faint.
Regular exercise improves stamina and boosts mood before/during travel
7. Monitor your blood sugar
Don’t forget to keep a blood sugar diary on paper or with an app on your phone during your family trip. This will help patients be more proactive with their health and adjust their menu, medication, and physical activity accordingly.
If you are traveling through a time zone, your blood sugar levels may not be stable for the first few days. Stick to your prescribed medication and wait for your body to adjust. Continue to monitor your blood sugar levels and symptoms for timely medical intervention.
The above are the basic things to note for safe and enjoyable trips for diabetic patients. Careful preparation will help patients feel completely secure to complete their vacation with their family. The trips will help improve the quality of physical and mental health, thereby helping patients live happily and healthily with diabetes.
If you are a foreigner who needs to use medical services while traveling in Vietnam, your medical benefits will be supported as Vietnamese citizens. To ensure your medical benefits are best guaranteed, you should go with an interpreter to exchange and receive information fully and effectively.
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