Ryan Reed Shares Tips For Managing Diabetes While Traveling For Spring Break
During March and April, millions of students and families will travel for a long-awaited week of relaxation during Spring Break 2015. For the 29.1 million[1] Americans who have Type 1 Diabetes like 21-year-old NASCAR driver Ryan Reed – who is constantly on the road – traveling could sometimes be a challenge.
Rather than skipping out on activities or foregoing vacation all together, the latest technology and advances in diabetes management allow those with diabetes to join their friends without the extra worry of constantly remembering to test their blood sugar. Parents can also keep an eye on kids’ glucose levels whether they’re on vacation with them or across the world thanks to new technology.
Fresh off his first NASCAR XFINITY Series win at Daytona International Speedway, Ryan is teaming up with Taking Control of Your Diabetes founder Dr. Steven Edelman to provide tips for maintaining optimal blood sugar levels and having fun while traveling with family or friends this spring.
As a professional race car driver, Ryan has a hectic schedule and keeping his blood glucose levels in check is a constant priority he manages despite the city he’s traveling to or the speed he’s racing.
Ryan and Dr. Edelman discuss:
- Pre-travel arrangements with doctors, caretakers, airlines and hotels
- Best supplies to pack in your suitcase and carry-on bag
- Which vacation activities to participate in and which to stay away from
- Best time of day to check your sugar between stops
- Handling emergencies while away from home
- Technology to help with diabetes management
About Ryan Reed: Ryan’s racing career began at a young age, capturing the Kid’s Kart Track Championship at the age of four. The Bakersfield, CA native made the long move from California to North Carolina at the age of 17 to surround himself with the racing community. In 2011, Reed was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes and told that he would never race again. Instead of giving up, he implemented lifestyle changes that included a strict diet and exercise program, the use of devices to provide track data, and reporting all of this information to his medical team in California. Ryan began his first full NASCAR XFINITY Series Season at the start of 2014, finishing ninth in the points standings. Most recently, Ryan finished in first place during the opening race of the season for the NASCAR XFINITY Series at Daytona, edging out many veteran racers.
About Dr. Steven Edelman: Dr. Edelman is a professor of medicine in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism at the University of California at San Diego (UCSD) and the Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System of San Diego and the director of the Diabetes Care Clinic, VA Medical Center. He has strong interests in education and patient advocacy. He is the founder and director of Taking Control of Your Diabetes (TCOYD), a not-for-profit organization with the goal of teaching and motivating patients in diabetes self-care. Since 1995, TCOYD has reached hundreds of thousands of people living with diabetes through a variety of education portals including national conferences, publications, television, and community programs. Dr. Edelman has written more than 200 articles and five books. He has won numerous awards for teaching and humanitarianism and was recognized by San Diego Magazine as a Top Doctor eight of the last nine years, an honor only achieved by a handful of physicians.
[1] http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/statistics/
Interview courtesy of Dexcom
