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Nancy Klobassa, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
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Nancy Klobassa, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Nancy Klobassa and Peggy Moreland
Nancy Klobassa, R.N., B.S.N, C.D.E
Nancy Klobassa is a registered nurse who has worked in diabetes education for 14 years. She is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) and is currently in graduate school working on a Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) and Health Care Education.Nancy works with adults who have type 1, type 2 and other forms of diabetes. Nancy is coordinator of the Diabetes Unit's intensive insulin therapy program within the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Nutrition & Metabolism at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Nancy has worked extensively with insulin pump therapy and continuous interstitial glucose sensing.
Peggy Moreland, R.N., M.S.N.
Peggy Moreland is a diabetes educator in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Nutrition & Metabolism at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.Peggy graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing and Health Care Education from the University of Phoenix and is a member of the American Association of Diabetes Educators and the American Diabetes Association. Peggy enjoys working with patients to set and achieve diabetes self-management goals.
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Living with diabetes blog
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June 23, 2009
Blog: Driving with diabetes
By Nancy Klobassa, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Those of you who have diabetes understand the importance of maintaining blood sugar (glucose) levels in your goal range. High or low blood sugar levels can result in sleepiness, confusion, blurred vision, or loss of consciousness.
Too high or too low blood sugar levels are dangerous when you're behind the wheel of a car. Monitoring your blood sugar is important if you're the driver. Stress, time changes, and changes in your eating and sleeping schedule can affect your blood sugar level, so it's best to test more frequently when driving with diabetes.
Hypoglycemia is an abnormally low blood sugar level typically less than 70 milligrams per deciliter or 3.9 millimoles per liter. Early symptoms of low glucose include shakiness, dizziness, hunger, headache, lightheadedness, moodiness, pallor, and confusion. As blood glucose levels continue to drop, loss of consciousness and seizures may result. Some people aren't aware that their blood glucose is dropping. This is a condition known as hypoglycemia unawareness.
Hyperglycemia is an abnormally high blood sugar level of 180 mg/dL (10 mmol/L) or greater. Symptoms of hyperglycemia that you may notice while driving include blurred vision, fatigue, hunger, excessive thirst, and frequent urination. Symptoms and effects of hyperglycemia may not be noticeable until blood sugars are above 250 mg/dL (13.9 mmol/L).
If your blood sugar is too low or too high you may not be able to focus on driving or control your car.
Some tips for driving with diabetes:
- Always test your blood sugar before driving.
- If the value is below 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) don't drive. Eat and retest and drive when blood sugar is above 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L).
- Follow rule of 15 — treat blood sugar below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) with 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate — and retest in 15 minutes. Test and retreat every 15 minutes until blood glucose is up in goal range.
- Always carry a source of carbohydrate in your car.
- Test blood sugar every two hours when driving long distances.
- Don't drive with impaired vision.
- Wear a diabetes medical ID.
- Insulin and some medications can cause low blood sugar. Test your blood sugar before you drive and don't drive if your blood sugar is too low. Check with your health care team as to how often you should check during the drive.
- Don't miss or delay a snack (depends on your diabetes medication program).
- It's never OK to drive with a low blood sugar. Stop the car if you experience symptoms of hypoglycemia. Check your blood sugar. Treat with fast-acting sugar tablets, juice, regular soda, or hard candy. Wait 15 minutes. Test and treat again as needed. Do not drive until your blood sugar level has reached your blood glucose range. You should eat a more substantial meal containing protein as soon as possible.
Supplies to take with you:
- Glucose meter
- Snacks (in case meals are delayed), a fast-acting sugar such as glucose tablets, juice, regular soda, or hard candy.
It's always good to consider how well you're managing your diabetes. Are you on track with counting carbohydrates and taking your medications at the right times? Foods and the timing of foods change as does your activity level on trips. Be aware that insulin doses may change according to what you're eating or doing.
Any additional tips for driving with diabetes are welcome!
- Peggy
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