Diseases that affect driving

While driving, our senses must be alert and we must be aware of the road, our vehicle and other cars so that driving is safe for everyone, drivers and pedestrians. There are a number of diseases that can affect our way of driving.

diabetes

This disease can affect driving if it is not well controlled. Type I diabetic patients, who need insulin, if they are not well controlled, they are at risk of suffering from one, that is, a drop in blood glucose levels. This can cause dizziness, blurred vision, and even loss of consciousness, with the obvious risk behind the wheel that this entails.

Seasonal allergies

They cause tearing and inflammation of the nasal mucosa and sneezing. Sneezing and tearing episodes can compromise attention while driving. Also, some antihistamines that are prescribed to treat allergy symptoms can cause drowsiness.

Altered states of the psyche

Depression, mania or anxiety, if not well treated with medication, can affect our Reaction capacity and alter both alertness and awareness of the danger that our actions behind the wheel can pose. Similarly, psychiatric can decrease alertness and wakefulness, thereby it is not recommended driving in this state.

Neurological diseases

Parkinson's, epilepsy, certain muscle dystonias or multiple sclerosis can cause states of muscle stiffness, spasms or a lack of control of limb movements. All of this can affect the way you drive and make the person at the wheel more likely to have a car accident.

In the initial stages of dementias, such as vascular dementia or the, in which patients are still self-sufficient, they can drive, but the memory gaps or the non-recognition of traffic signs and rules could cause the driver to get upset and commit recklessness and suffer a traffic accident.

Sleep disorders

Insomnia, restless legs, or obstructive sleep apnea syndrome prevent restful night's rest and lead to a daytime sleepiness, sometimes irremediable, which can pose a serious danger if you go behind the wheel. Similarly, patients with or cataplexy who are not well treated and who do not follow a pattern of scheduled naps to avoid sleep crises they can fall asleep abruptly while driving and cause a life-threatening accident.

Other pathologies

A box of dizziness, a heart failure, a hypertensive crisis, a anemia or any other cause of dizziness and weakness, can affect coordination and vision, with which driving ability can be severely affected. Of course the use of certain substances , cannabis or certain opiate painkillers, will reduce our ability to react, being less alert and causing drowsiness, which can lead to a serious accident.

It is clear that any disease state can affect our ability to drive. It is our responsibility to know if the state in which we find ourselves is punctual or chronic, it can hinder our ability to drive and we must be capable, for our own good and that of others, not to take the wheel if we are not going to be able to respond 100% as drivers. Likewise, if you are taking any medication, it is important to know its effects, especially when driving, and.

• Poorly controlled diabetes can lead to hypoglycemia, dizziness, blurred vision, and even loss of consciousness.
• Some neurological diseases can affect coordination and movement.
• Sleep disorders prevent a restful night's rest and lead to daytime sleepiness.
• Driving may be inadvisable if you are consuming certain medications such as antihistamines.

Consulting physician