How diabetic patients should prepare for Hajj

During Hajj the routine changes in many cases. Daily activities, food intake, food menu, geographical environment, weather all change. They have a profound effect on blood glucose levels. Due to this, the complications of diabetic patients increase a lot.

Complexity

♦ Hypoglycemia ♦ Dehydration ♦ Leg ulcers or inflammation ♦ Diabetic keto acidosis ♦ Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state ♦ Heat stroke ♦ Other infections ♦ Diarrhea ♦ Heart disease etc.

• Prepare in advance
• 
  
• ♦ Before leaving for Hajj, consult your doctor and get your diabetes under control.
• 
  
• ♦ Get treatment for other complications related to diabetes. Consult a doctor if there is a wound on the leg.
• 
  
• ♦ Make a small bag to carry essential medicines, insulin, insulin pen, syringe or needle.
• 
  
• ♦ Provide cold packs to store insulin.
• 
  
• ♦ Carry essential materials for regular diabetes tests. They are destroyed by excessive heat.
• Take action for that.
• ♦ Take enough medicine to avoid drug shortage.
• 
  
• ♦ Keep the documents with you. Tell the doctor to write down the generic name of the medicine.
• 
  
• ♦ Carry emergency kit for diabetes.
• 
  
• ♦ Keep sugary foods in hand luggage.
• 
  
• ♦ Take walking shoes with you.

How to store insulin: Insulin may be lost if stored in original luggage. So keep your insulin in hand luggage. Get on the plane and give it to the flight attendant. So that he can save. Go to Saudi Arabia and keep it in the fridge. Keep a special cooler inside the wallet when you go out. Care should be taken that they are not exposed to the sun. Even blood test strips should not be exposed to direct sunlight.

Watch out for warning signs: excessive sweating, chest palpitations, headaches, hunger, restlessness, these indicate low blood glucose levels. If this happens, drink carbohydrate-rich drinks, milk, fruit juice or sugar syrup.

It is important to take care of feet: Diabetic patients are at increased risk of foot injuries during Hajj. For this you need to take care of your feet regularly. Regular foot lotion or Vaseline should be used to keep feet moist. A doctor should be consulted if blisters occur on the feet, wounds or infections occur.