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