Things to Look For Diabetics When Wanting to Drive

Impaired coordination is a condition that can be experienced by diabetics (diabetes) if they do not control their disease properly. So, what if the sufferer wants to drive? Check out the full explanation below.

Can Diabetics Drive?

Diabetes is a chronic disease that results from the pancreas not producing enough insulin or the body not being able to use insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar in the body.

Diabetics who are undergoing insulin injection therapy or taking drugs are prone to experiencing hypoglycemia or blood sugar that is too low.

Hypoglycemia is a frightening scourge faced by diabetics when driving a motorized vehicle because it can put motorists and other people in danger.

When blood sugar is too low, you will experience blurred vision, difficulty concentrating, drowsiness, numbness, and several other effects. This condition is certainly dangerous if it appears while you are driving.

Also Read: Beware, Staying up late often increases the risk of diabetes

Even though they have a risk of hypoglycemia, diabetics can still drive. However, you must remain alert to the symptoms of hypoglycemia. When you notice a change in how you feel or your ability to concentrate, you need to be aware that this may be a symptom of hypoglycemia.

Symptoms of hypoglycemia appear when blood sugar is below 70 mg/dL. The body will give a sign that the blood sugar is low. However, some people experiencing low blood sugar experience no symptoms. This condition can be experienced by people with diabetes who have been going on for a long time.

If you have hypoglycemia without symptoms, you are not advised to drive for long periods of time.

In addition, you are also allowed to drive as long as you don’t have diabetes complications that interfere with your ability to drive.

Several complications of diabetes can interfere with driving, such as vision problems and diabetic neuropathy, which is nerve damage that affects the feet. This condition can interfere with your control in stepping on the pedal.

Also Read: Tracing the Benefits of Walking for Diabetics

Safe Driving Tips for Diabetics

Here are some ways that diabetics can do to stay safe while driving:

• Do a blood sugar check before driving.
• Always carry a blood sugar test kit during the trip.
• Also provide snacks containing sugar or glucose tablets in the vehicle and place them within easy reach of the driver’s seat.
• Avoid eating late or not eating at all.
• When traveling long distances, take blood sugar measurements every two hours.

Apart from that, you also need to know a number of ways you can do when you experience symptoms of hypoglycemia while driving:

• When you feel the symptoms, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place.
• Turn off the vehicle and measure blood sugar.
• Immediately consume carbohydrates that have a fast effect on blood sugar, such as glucose tablets, candy, and biscuits.
• Continue driving after 45 minutes from when your blood sugar returns to normal.

Diabetics can still drive as long as they don’t experience hypoglycemia and diabetes complications that interfere with driving activities.

Consultation It is necessary to do with the doctor to find out the dosage and rules for taking medication / insulin injections while driving. Hopefully this information is useful, Healthy Friends.

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