Jetlag and Type One Diabetes
Negotiating the First Two Days after Flying into a New Time Zone
Jun 17, 2008
Be Aware
Sitting still for six or more hours in a row, particularly for athletic types, will almost certainly imbalance blood sugars. Waking up early or staying up late to catch a flight only makes the problem worse.
So be aware. Diabetics should test their sugar more than usual, particularly before and after going to sleep. It is normal for blood sugars to ride a little higher than usual, but it is not advisable to take extra insulin to cover it since you cannot be sure how you will react.
Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking lots of water is the easiest way to keep blood sugars from rising. Furthermore, planes have the tendency to sap people of their moisture, provoking mild dehydration – so drinking extra water will also help to keep diabetics from confusing the symptoms of high blood sugar with simply being thirsty.
Sleep
The major problem with jetlag is that it makes people very sleepy. The most common advice for dealing with jetlag is to stay up until it gets dark in your new city (assuming you arrive during the day) in order ease your way into the new schedule. This approach is problematic for diabetics because the imbalance in blood sugar levels provoked by the flight combined with extreme wariness can lead to a situation where blood sugars may drop while in a deep sleep. Extreme exhaustion reduces diabetics' ability to react to hypoglycemia overnight.
Having a major drop overnight is one of the worst positions a diabetic can be in, but there is a solution: take a nap. Once you get to wherever it is you plan on sleeping, take a one-hour nap before going out and trying to synch up with the locals.
When Do I Take My Long-Acting Insulin?
Diabetics will inevitably have to change the time that they inject thier long-acting insulin when they cross time zones because time itself will change. Because insulin regimes vary and because long distance flights into new time zones can last anywhere from six hours to more than 24, it is best to consult a doctor before making this decision.
After the First Day
Presumably, diabetics will begin to adapt to thier new environment immediately. Blood sugars will begin to stabilize as you learn what to expect from your new schedule and your new eating habits. But remember, this can take time. As you become accustomed to your new routine make sure to err on the side of hyperglycemia. While, in the short term, high blood sugars can be irritating, it is easy to bounce back from hyperglycemia within a few days. Allowing blood sugar to drop precipitously, on the other hand, can be extremely dangerous in the short term.
Jetlag is a temporary phenomenon. If you remain aware of your blood sugars, drink extra water, avoid major drops, and take a nap upon arrival you should manage to overcome it without much hassle. The American Diabetes Association provides more information about traveling with diabetes.
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