Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar), Diabetes Testing and Driving
By Fern Kuhn
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.
"Click here" to get a Free AccuCheck Compact glucose meter and testing supplies.
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!
Copyright 2005 Fern Kuhn, RN Specializing in Diabetes
http://www.giftbasketcenter.info
http://www.diabetestestingcenter.com
http://www.attentiondeficitdisordercenter.com
You may reprint this article as long as you keep the links active
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fern_Kuhn
© Copyright 2006. All Rights Reserved.