Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar), Diabetes Testing and Driving
Your Car
Because hypoglycemia can effect your driving performance (even
modestly low blood sugar can do this), if you are at all prone
to hypoglycemia, I personally would strongly recommend you check
out your blood sugar level each time you are about to drive.
Prior to you putting the key in the ignition, test your blood
sugar. There are some great glucometers out there, like the
Accu-Check Compact with the Accu-Check Multi-clix lancet pen.
The Accu-Check Compact has a 17 strip drum inside so you don't
have to take any extra strips with you. The Accu-Check
Multi-clix lancet pen has a drum that automatically holds 6
lancets within the pen to use quickly and easily. Again, you
won't have to bring any lancets separately with you. If your
blood sugar is low, treat yourself to some juice or hard candy
and don't drive until your blood sugar is back to normal.
Usually 80 mg/dl and higher you should feel better. Then try and
eat a small meal, like a low fat cheese and/or turkey sandwich.
Usually in 15 minutes taking 15-20 grams of Carbohydrate (CHO)
will usually bring up your blood sugar to normal range. You can
have a 4-6 ounce glass of juice, glucose tablets or 2-3 pieces
of hard candy. Don't overdo it because your blood sugar will
then go sky high. If it doesn't return within normal limits in
15 minutes, repeat the 15-20 grams of CHO and then check your
blood sugar in 15 minutes.
Usually if your blood sugar is above 80 mg/dl, you should feel
fine but sometimes going above 100 mg/dl, you'll feel better.
You should always follow with a small meal that contains CHO,
protein that contains a small amount of fat.
Always make sure you have something to eat right within reach in
the car (not in the trunk!). I tell my father to put 2-3
peppermint candy right in his pocket and have a supply of hard
candy or peppermint candy always stashed in his car.
It is best if you eat 6-8 small meals a day. This would include
a CHO, protein food that contains a little fat included. Example
would be a cheese sandwich that contains either 1 or 2 slices of
bread, a cheese that is low fat or turkey low in fat but not fat
free. The protein and fat does help to stablize your blood sugar
over a period of time instead of a quick spike in your blood
sugar and a quick drop in blood sugar like juice would do.
During your trip if you need to take an insulin injection or an
oral blood sugar medication, then make sure you eat as prescibed
with your medication, otherwise your blood sugar can go low. I
will be writing about how insulin and certain oral blood sugar
medications can make your sugar go low. Not all insulin, esp.
Lantus, or oral diabetic medications make your blood sugar low.
Signs of Hypoglycemia:
**Cold sweat, faintness, dizziness **Headache **Pounding of
heart, trembling, nervousness **blurred vision **hunger
**Irritability **Personality Change **Not able to awaken
Now you can also have problems driving if your blood sugar is
over 200 mg/dl. My father got in an accident because his blood
sugar was over 200, he was becoming confused and at the same
time had a Urinary Tract Infection. The police officer told me
that a diabetic's license can be revoked if an accident is
caused by diabetes. I don't know if that is true but why risk
losing your license altogether if this is the case.
If you were going to be driving for any sort of extended time,
every so often find an appropriate place to pull across and
retest your blood. When it comes to driving: if in doubt, check
out your blood sugar & eat!