created: 30.09.2004
last modified: 30.09.2004
The watch doesn't mind at all but the human body takes more than a few turns during his sleep to deal with the time shift. Even the slightest differences also on short flights can effect the sleeping rhythm and your health.
People with arrhythmia and / or sleeping disorders, organic diseases, elderly people and babies are especially affected by jetlags.
Diabetics can easily cope with a small jetlag as long as their insulin setting is all right and they pay attention to regular urine and blood glucose tests.
As time goes by…
With the beginning of the holiday season airports are getting busier and busier. Journeys are supposed to take longer and to go further away, to the outmost corners of the planet. Often thousands of miles and many time zones are being travelled within the shortest periods of time. For example, to fly from rainy London to the sunny surf beaches of Hawaii, you'll have to swallow the bitter pill and take a 24 hours flight. About 93% of the passengers have trouble dealing with the jetlag that comes with distances like that. Complaints are about sleeping-disorders, feeling hungry at unusual times of the day, sudden awakening, decelerated reactions and also drowsiness and limpness.
A hitchhiker's guide to "time travelling"…
Drinking high amounts of liquids and avoiding alcohol usually helps a lot. Getting up frequently, doing a little gymnastic exercise, relaxing and choosing an easily digestible, carbohydrate orientated diet before the journey are also very helpful. And once you've arrived at the destination of your choice, adjust your daily routine to the local time. That means, if you're used to going to sleep at 11 pm at home, don't start going to bed earlier or later than 11 pm local time. Normally tourists take 2 to 14 days to get used to the new day and night rhythm, depending on their health condition and the time shift between departure and arrival.
For diabetics the time shift doesn't mean a problem one can't solve. In this case preparation is all and can save you unnecessary stress and time exposure.
The Checklist
During long distance flights the insulin dose needs to be adjusted again. When flying from east to west the days grow longer, which means you'll need more insulin. From west to east the days grow shorter so the need for insulin will decrease. A precise formula how to adjust the dose doesn't exist, that means you need to consult your doctor first. A frequent control of the blood glucose is vital (every 3 hours at least), that's why you should have a complete second test set in your cabin luggage. Getting up often during the flight, trying to maintain activity and drinking a lot (of water for example), is highly important for diabetics too. You don't need to worry about the in-flight catering at all. Most Airlines enable you to order diabetic food when you're booking your flight.
So, if all preparations are met, only bad weather might eventually spoil your holidays.
Bon voyage!
