Vim & Vigor - Spring 2011 - North Mississippi - (Page 26)

Mobile Monitoring Whether you’re taking a weekend road trip or a monthlong excursion around the globe, keeping your blood sugar under control when your schedule is thrown for a loop can be tricky. Everyone could use a little help. Apps for the iPhone and online trackers can help. “There are some wonderful apps out there,” says nurse practitioner Davida Kruger, author of The Diabetes Travel Guide. “And you can easily enter in information no matter where you are.” If you travel with a laptop or smart phone, www.diabetestracker.org can help you chart your blood glucose levels, and MyFoodAdvisor from the American Diabetes Association (tracker.diabetes.org) can help you find foods that fit with your eating plan. Apps like GoMeals track nutritional intake and find restaurants. The WaveSense app from AgaMatrix integrates a blood glucose logbook, carbohydrate and insulin tracking, charts, educational videos and customizable schedules. a hard copy of your prescriptions and carry those with you,” she says. She advises writing down your medications and dosages and carrying that list in your wallet and your suitcase. Do the same with the settings on your insulin pump, if you use one. And always wear a bracelet or necklace that says you have diabetes. They say getting there is half the fun. While commercial airlines have mostly dispelled that notion, proper education and planning can make your flight uneventful, if not enjoyable. Here are a few things to consider: • Security check. To find out about TSA regulations concerning medications, visit www.tsa.gov/travelers and choose “Travelers with Disabilities & Medical Conditions.” You should be able to carry on any medications you need. Keep them in their original containers separate from other liquids you’re carrying, and alert a TSA agent when you go through security. • Flight plan. If possible, request an exit row or bulkhead seat so you have more legroom. And ask for an aisle seat so you can get up to walk during the flight, to reduce your chance of blood clots. • Carry on. You never know how long it could be before you’re reunited with checked bags, so always carry on your medications, supplies and snacks. Store them under the seat in front of you instead of in the overhead bin. That way, if the seat belt light stays on, you can still access whatever you need. • Snack attack. No matter how long your trip, being in control of your food will help ensure you don’t put yourself in danger. “If you assume you’re going to get something to eat during the flight, you could be unpleasantly surprised,” Funnell says. The airline might not serve meals or turbulence could delay the food service. Good eats to pack include a sandwich on whole-grain bread, cheese cubes, granola bars and dried fruit. • In the zone. If your trip takes you across time zones, be sure to factor that into your testing and medication schedule.  On YOur WaY The Diabetes Treatment Center at North Mississippi Medical Center has been recognized as a Diabetes Center of Excellence. To learn more, visit www.nmhs.net/ diabetes_treatment_ center.php. Gain Knowledge You took a vacation to have fun, right? There’s no reason you can’t relax and enjoy your time. If you’ve planned well, you’ll be set up to feel your best. • Indulge within reason. Sampling the local cuisine is a fun part of the vacation experience. Enjoy food in portion sizes consistent with what you have at home so your blood sugar stays in a range that makes you feel good. • Keep moving. If you do eat more, plan more activity into your schedule to compensate. On the flip side, if your vacation schedule includes more activity than normal, be sure your blood sugar doesn’t get too low. Funnell recommends testing more often so you have a better sense of where your levels are. • Rest up. “Sleep and stress can impact your blood sugar,” Funnell says. If you’re getting up earlier or staying up later to enjoy activities, plan a midday nap. • Sick day. Montezuma’s revenge isn’t fun for any tourist, but it can be particularly dangerous if you have diabetes. “Be sure to discuss a sick-day plan with your healthcare provider before you leave,” Kruger says. • Stay on some sort of schedule. “It can be easy to miss your medication doses if your routine is different,” Funnell says. That doesn’t mean you can’t be spontaneous, but if you always test your blood sugar after work, you might need to create a different cue in your head or set an alarm. YOu Have arrived 26 Vim & Vigor • SP R I N G 2 011 onlInE http://www.tsa.gov/travelers http://www.diabetestracker.org http://tracker.diabetes.org http://www.nmhs.net/diabetes_treatment_center.php http://www.nmhs.net/diabetes_treatment_center.php http://www.nmhs.net/diabetes_treatment_center.php

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Spring 2011 - North Mississippi

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2011 - North Mississippi
Table of Contents
Opening Thoughts
Pump It Up
Heart of the Matter
Every Minute Counts
A Workout for Every Mood
Don’t Fail Your Heart
If Your Bones Could Talk
Healthy Travels
Over 40 and Fabulous
Do-It-Yourself Health?
Fighting Words
Balancing Act
Giving & Getting
Brighten Up
Welcome Aboard
Catch the Spirit

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2011 - North Mississippi