Sixteen years ago, Dr. Gregg Gerety was driving his two young children home from a day of swimming and outdoor activities. One minute, he felt a little light-headed. The next, his car was totaled, having veered off New York’s Taconic State Parkway. Fortunately, Dr. Gerety and his children were unharmed. But his experience underscores the danger that driving can pose for diabetics. “I felt fine when I got behind the wheel, but I failed to take into account how that afternoon’s physical activity may have affected my blood sugar levels,” says Dr. Gerety, a physician who also suffers from type 1 diabetes. As explained in a recent New York Times article, research shows that drivers with diabetes are 12 to 19% more likely to get into an accident. That risk jumps to 40% among people who have suffered from bouts of hypoglycemia, or dangerously low blood sugar, according to one recent study. “I think it’s a more common problem than we appreciate,” Dr. Gerety says. Warning signs of low blood sugar can be subtle at first. They include blurry vision, sweating, or feeling tired and cranky. Low blood sugar can also trigger mild cognitive impairment, leading people to get lost or make a wrong turn, he adds. “The lower your blood sugar falls, the greater your risk of a serious accident.” More from Prevention: Fast Food That Won’t Spike Blood Sugar When should you worry about getting behind the wheel? Extra physical activity, a skipped meal or snack, or any recent bouts of hypoglycemia can all be causes for concern, Dr. Gerety says. And those taking medications to control their blood sugar need to be especially careful. “Low is better when it comes to preventing eye, kidney, and nerve disease, and that’s why doctors prescribe those medications,” he says. “But there are risks involved, and hypoglycemia is certainly one of them.” For those who may be at risk, Dr. Gerety offers the following safety precautions: Test your blood sugar before driving. “And not just once,” Dr. Gerety says. Instead, check your blood sugar twice—15 to 30 minutes apart—before getting behind the wheel. If you only test once, you may not notice that your blood sugar levels are steadily declining, which could lead to an accident. Keep a “safety kit” in the car. This should contain a juice box, energy bar, sports drink, and glucose tablets, Dr. Gerety advises. If you experience blood sugar problems during a drive, they’re all quick fixes to keep things under control until you can park the car. Raise your targets. If you’ve recently experienced symptoms of hypoglycemia, talk to your doctor about raising your blood sugar targets. “Adequate levels vary from person to person, and you might be aiming too low and putting yourself at risk if you drive frequently,” Gerety says. Consider a sensor. If you have a tough time controlling your blood sugar levels, ask your doctor about an implantable glucose sensor, also known as a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) can measure your blood sugar levels every five minutes. When you move out of a safe range, the system will alert you ASAP. More from Prevention: Fats That Fight Diabetes Questions? Comments? Contact Prevention’s News Team.
