*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Diabetes And Travel

You can travel anywhere with diabetes. You just have to prepare to avoid any problems.

Before you travel

make sure your travel insurance covers health problems related to your diabetes
find out where you can get your insulin in the place you're visiting, and take a recent prescription with you
speak to your care team for advice about adjusting to different time zones
if you're flying, get a letter from your GP or care team to say you have diabetes and need to take your treatment on to the plane (you may need to pay for the letter)
if you use a pump or a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), check with your airline before you travel about taking it on board - some airlines require paperwork for medical equipment

pack 3 times as much insulin, test strips, lancets, needles and glucose tablets as you'd expect to need
split your medicines, IDs and equipment into 2 different bags, just in case 1 gets lost
if you use a pump, pack insulin pens in case it stops working
put insulin in your hand luggage - the hold of the plane will be too cold and could damage the insulin
take a cool bag to stop your insulin getting too hot
take some form of diabetes ID, like a medical alert bracelet, to tell others that you have diabetes
take the contact details of your diabetic team, just in case you need their advice
take plenty of snacks in case there are any delays
do not put your pump through airport scanners or x-ray machines - let airport security know so they can check it another way

be prepared to test more while you're away - hot and cold weather can affect your blood glucose levels and increase your risk of a hypoglycaemia (hypo) or hyperglycaemia
you may have to change your insulin dose depending on the temperature and different activities you're doing - speak to your diabetes team
take care if you're sunbathing, as this can affect your blood glucose levels

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
Photos: LightFieldStudios and one of VladOrlov, Stockcube, darak77, ajr_images or rawpixel.com.