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| Categories: Tips for travelling |
| Tips for travelling |
Universal tips for diabetics on travals |
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Formalities
Tough the customs regulations for travels within the EU have been loosened diabetics should think about the obligation to register their medicines (due to the law of narcotics) and their devices (syringe, cannula, special equipment), to guarantee a stress free process. An English (or Swedish) certificate from the doctor as prove that you’re a diabetic (including a reason and a list of all the needed medicines or devices) is advisable.
An English (Swedish is all right too) certification which states that one has diabetes plus the equipment that one needs, are not only useful for customs but also in case of possibilities, which make it easier to explain ones situation to a doctor. Information about the used medicine is especially important.
General rules for diabetics
Well known rules that need to be observed during every journey are further valid:
The insulin should be divided up and packed in the several bags. In that case a sudden loss of a piece of luggage can be compensated for. Additionally one should not deal with the medicines and devices, which one needs for the journey, too economically. It is better to pack some more than having to wait for repeat orders. Remember that your usual daily routine and exertions can not be transmitted for the time of your holidays. Speak to your doctor about what you have to pay attention to. Wear your diabetes book or diabetes identification card (multilingual!) with you at all times.
Illness/medical emergencies
In case you will get sick or other medical problems should arise contact the local medical centre (vårdcentralen). There primary nursing/ medical treatment are offered. In this centre general practitioners as well as specialist are employed. In case of an emergency you can go directly to the emergency room of the nearest hospital. You will find the telephone numbers and addresses in the yellow pages of the telephone book (gula sidor). You need your ID and your European health insurance card (Europeiskt sjukförsäkringskort) which you will get from your health insurance scheme.
As a tourist you too generally have to pay extra. These costs vary according to the doctor and the region. (see: costs for patients)
All patients that are in an acute medical condition and are from EU-/ EWR- countries have access to the Swedish health care system and medical treatment. A foreign countries health care insurance helps paying for these costs. For a stay that lasts longer than 42 days one has to take out a special insurance (can be asked for at the insurance company).
At the doctor’s one gets a possibly needed prescription which can be cashed in the pharmacy. Without a prescription medicines are often not sold in Sweden. The pharmacies opening hours vary according to the size of the city in which they are located and are in general comparable to those in Germany. In larger cities pharmacies are open till 8pm or later.
The emergency number in Sweden is 122. This will call the police, fire service and ambulance.
Vocabulary for diabetics
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(injektions-)hjälpmedel | (injection-)device |
| engångssprutor | disposble syringe |
| insulinpenna | insulin pump |
| pump | pump |
| kanyl | cannula |
| insulin(brist) | insulin(deficiency) |
| glukosvärd | glucose level |
| blodsocker(nivå) | blood sugar(level) |
| mätare | measuring instrument |
| blodprovtagare | blood collecting device (for blood sample) |
| lancetten | lancets |
| teststickor | test stripe |
| läkarintyg | medical certification |
Translated by Juliana Machado (c) Kathrin Kießling |
Diabetes Information | Contact | Board
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in Version 00.08.49