Not sure of what to include in your daily diabetes care kit? Here are some recommendations that we feel like a must.
We already know that diabetes gets affected by practically everything. Stress, food or weather can make your blood sugar go up or down effortlessly. That’s why it’s so important for people with diabetes to always be well prepared. How? By carrying a diabetes care essentials kit. This small first responder kit can save you from a lot of scares.
Diabetes will be with you probably for the rest of your life. Avoiding sugar fluctuations as much as possible will lower your risk of more serious complications later in life. That is why diabetes care is essential, continuous and daily.
It would be best to have a bag that is easy to identify and easy to transport. It is also a good idea to mark it with your first and last name and telephone number so that, in case it gets lost, you can be contacted.
If you like the idea but you are a bit lost and don’t know what to put in it, in this article we recommend 7 things that, in our opinion, must be included in this kit.
Your medical data
In this list of things to carry in your diabetes daily care kit, the first thing is your medical information. You should always have it with you. You can write it down on paper and laminate it. On it, should appear:
- The medications you take.
- Your medication schedules.
- Your allergies.
- The contact information of a family member or person you trust.
- What type of diabetes you have.
A replacement glucometer and test strips or CGM
Depending on what you test your blood sugar with, keep one thing or the other in your diabetes day care kit. If you do it the old-fashioned way with a glucometer, carry an extra one and test strips as well.
You can use a CGM such as a Dexcom too. In that case, carry an unopened replacement in case the one you are wearing comes off or falls down. That way if there is any inconvenience you won’t have any problem. You will be able to put the other one on directly and connect it to Cori so you can keep an eye on your levels.
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People with diabetes are especially vulnerable to the dangers of colds and the flu, but there are things you can do to control your symptoms and avoid getting sick in the first place. You may maintain your health even when you’re feeling under the weather by constantly monitoring your blood sugar levels, staying hydrated, getting enough of rest, and adhering to your diabetes management plan. Additionally, you may lower your risk of getting sick and safeguard yourself from any problems by maintaining proper cleanliness, being vaccinated, and generally maintaining good health. Make sure to discuss any worries you may have with your healthcare team for advice and support if you have diabetes and are worried about managing colds and the flu.
Rapidly absorbed carbohydrates
Low sugar (hypoglycemia) is the bread and butter of people with diabetes. So be prepared for them to happen. Take with you fast-absorbing carbohydrates that you can use. Here are some ideas so you can vary:
- Tetrabrik of juice.
- Refreshments.
- Energy bars.
- Glucose tablets or gels.
Insulin for your daily diabetes care
Insulin is part of the treatment for the large majority of people with diabetes, whether type 1 or type 2. There are three possible options for injecting it**. Depending on which method you use, you will need to carry different things:
- Insulin vials: Do you inject insulin using syringes and vials? Take with you then the corresponding vial and syringes so that you can inject yourself.
- Insulin pen: Insulin pens are more compact and convenient than vials. So you will need to carry less stuff. You’ll just need to include a few unopened needles in your diabetes daily care kit to have a backup.
- Insulin pump: The great advantage of insulin pumps is that you don’t have to worry about injecting yourself. They automatically deliver the needed insulin into your bloodstream from the catheter. But, just in case, carry one of the previous methods. If it breaks or has a problem, you’ll have a replacement.
Important! Since you have to carry needles don’t forget to pack a rigid container with a lid where you can safely store them for later recycling.
Alcohol wipes
Sanitizing the area where you prick yourself is very important. To avoid unexpected problems, carry alcohol wipes with you. You can use them to clean the puncture site, your hands and also the rubber cap of the insulin bottle or pen.
Band-aids
Include a box of band-aids in your daily diabetes care kit. If you bleed after a needle stick, they’ll be useful. Plus, you never know what other situation you might need them in, too!
In your diabetes daily care kit, carry glucagon
Glucagon? Yes, just in case. Low blood sugars are very common. But if you have a big one (severe hypoglycemia) and you lose consciousness, glucagon will raise your glucose levels.
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