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In an article in the August 25, 1999, issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association (Clarke et al), researchers found that some persons with type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes) may not correctly judge at what levels their blood sugar is so low that it may no longer be safe to drive. Nearly 45 percent of the time participants in the study said they would drive even though their blood sugar levels were in a range that is associated with declining driver performance.
Early Symptoms of Hypoglycemia:
- Feeling shaky or irritable
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Feeling hot, followed by excessive sweating
- Blurred vision
- Slurred speech
- Tingling or numbness in the mouth or lips
- Headache
Controlling blood glucose (a simple sugar that is the body's main source of energy) levels can be extremely difficult for persons with diabetes. Because their bodies either do not produce any insulin (the hormone that regulates blood glucose levels) or do not produce enough insulin, people with diabetes often have too much glucose in their blood.
Some persons with diabetes need to take insulin or glucose-lowering drugs that can sometimes cause their blood glucose levels to drop too low. This can lead to complications that can affect one's ability to drive, such as dizziness, trembling, headaches, confusion, disorientation, and double vision.
What Precautions Should Someone with Diabetes Take?
There is no reason why people with diabetes should not drive if they have their blood sugar levels under control. However, if you have diabetes or are adversely affected by low blood sugar, you should be cautious when making the decision to drive.
- Be aware of your blood sugar levels by regularly monitoring them. Do not drive when they are lower than 65 mg/dL
- Carry some food that will help raise your blood sugar level when needed
- Plan your trips to make sure you will not be late for a meal or miss a meal
- Carry identification that lets others know that you have diabetes. In case there is a medical emergency, the identification will alert others that you need treatment immediately.
http://www.diabetes.org/main/community/advocacy/itdm_drivers2.jsp
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