I copy here an extract of an article on diabetes and driving ... and I will add my personal opinion about it.In addition to sharing my experience, I would like to ask about yours, what experiences have you had driving?Is it really justified that we have to renew the driving license more often for having diabetes?
"Diabetes can produce acute metabolic problems such as hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. In the first case it is low glucose concentrations. In the second the situation is reverse.
Hypoglycemia can affect vision, some cognitive functions and general orientation.Hyperglycemia has similar effects.In addition, it can produce events that jeopardize life such as diabetic ketoacidosis or non -ketosic hyperosmolar syndrome.
Without reaching that extreme, metabolic problems can produce reactions that affect the performance of drivers.Severe hypoglycemia can produce sudden loss of consciousness.However, most hypoglycemia are moderate.
Certain alarm symptoms are tremors, palpitations and sweat.However, some individuals cannot recognize that an episode of hypoglycemia is taking place.Although it does not lead to the extreme of losing awareness, hypoglycemia can cause difficulties to concentrate, lack of coordination, visual difficulties and dizziness.
Hypoglycemia can reduce reaction times, reduce the speed to perform complex tasks, slowness in visual processing and the detection of complex visual stimuli, difficulties in sustaining attention, reduction in coordination between hands and eyes,, and difficulties in controlling anger and irritability.High carbohydrate meal intake and drinks can reverse hypoglycemia quite quickly.
Having diabetes has been related to a greater risk of colliding compared to not having that condition.
However, the difference is small and does not justify restrictions to grant them the driver's license.Prevention is important but it is not usual.
Education and training to detect episodes of hypoglycemia in the context of traffic, its effects and how to act in these cases are useful tools.Involving doctors and health personnel in this task can be a good initiative.The exam moments to obtain or renew the driver's license are also. "
And here my reflection, in almost 25 years with diabetes, I have never met a situation of "risky risk by diabetes", I currently have a continuous monitor, in the car I always carry some juice, sweets, cookies, etc ... somethingWhat I can see if I get in a hypoglycemia situation.
I leave the situation of hyperglycemia out of consideration, I do not believe that there is any situation in which I had a risk for that reason.
In addition to carrying the monitor, I still detect quite well when a hypoglycemia situation cantension, or I will be wanting to vomit, or had a heart attack, etc ...
In conclusion, I do not believe that diabetes affects the driving capabilities of people, from my point of view, it is not justified in any way, nor that there is still today, a discrimination of people with diabetes about the renewal or obtaining of theDriving license, I think it is rather something that should be corrected and that it would make it easier for us to feel more integrated into society.
What do you think?
Greetings,