347 million people in 2008 suffered from diabetes mellitus (DM)
Epidemiological studies show that 347 million people in 2008 suffered from diabetes mellitus (DM). According to the World Health Organization, 3.4 million people die annually as a result of diabetes mellitus infection. 80% of this death occur in low and middle-level income countries. 90-95 per cent of the death result from type-2 diabetes and the victims are older adults with a family history of type-2 diabetes, physical inactivity and obesity.
Traumatic injuries are the leading in increasing the length of stay in hospital and mortality for patients. People who get traumatic injuries as a result of motor vehicle crashes and have diabetes are at higher risks of not getting quick recovery. After getting these injuries, these people are at higher chances of getting visually impaired. Renal dysfunction, a decrease in peripheral nerve function and visual impairment are the significant risks associated with traumatic injuries for people with diabetes mellitus. A deficiency of glucose in the blood, also known as hypoglycemia, is what brings about these risks.
Hypoglycemia is one of the worst complications for people living with diabetes. When driving, low glucose in the blood may result in neuroglycopenia which is a deficiency of glucose in the brain. Neuroglycopenia disrupts the normal cognitive functioning, confusion, nervousness, retarded mention functioning and later leading to injuries.
Once there is a variation of blood glucose in the brain, the brain is the first organ that is affected by a lack of energy. Therefore, in such a case, the mind will initiate a sequence of responses to protect itself. In normal circumstances, the level of glucose available in the plasma is 4.4-4.7 mmol/L. If it falls below this level, pancreatic secretion of insulin decreases, leading to an increase in the production of glucose and reduced intake by tissues. Lowering the glucose concentration below 2.8-3.0 mmol/L results to body shaking, anxiety, hunger, weakness, dizziness, confusion and impaired vision. All these are symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Diabetic patients are at 12-19% risk of getting motor vehicle crashes. There is an excellent relationship between motor vehicle crashes and diabetes. Poor vision as a result of retinopathy affects the ability of a driver feels foot pedals which increases the risk of motor vehicle crashes. Most of the diabetic drivers admitted to hospitals are under the age of 55 years.
Hypoglycemia is associated with inefficient performance while driving, and this is due to poor brain coordination. Hypoglycemic attacks later lead to attention dysfunction, which in turn leads to fatal accidents. The situation becomes complicated if a person living with diabetes decides to drive with full awareness of their hypoglycemic state.
One of the most common drugs with people living with type-2 diabetes is Metformin. Metformin is usually prescribed to people who are overweight, obese and with normal kidney functioning. If a patient is not overweight and cannot take Metformin are advised to take Sulfonylurea, which is an oral anti-hyperglycemic drug.
If a driver is aware of their hypoglycemic state is in a better position in sustaining a driver’s performance. The time taken for one to go into hypoglycemia and to get into neuroglycopenia is too short, and self-treatment is usually tricky in most cases.
Therefore, diabetes poses severe issues in acting as predisposing factors to traumatic injuries. Hypoglycemia is a significant risk factor in causing motor vehicle crashes for people living with diabetes. The best thing for people living with diabetes and likely to go into hypoglycemia is to understand their state, take necessary insulin prescriptions and avoid driving when it is not required.