In some cases, people who find themselves under arrest on DUI charges are completely shocked. They cannot believe that they failed the breath test. They may maintain that they have not been drinking or, at least, have not had very much to drink.
Interestingly, certain medical conditions can affect the results of a breath test and the DUI charges that may follow. One such condition is diabetes. Let’s look at two potential issues that this can create.
Triggering a breath test
First and foremost, someone with diabetes could enter ketosis, where their body produces ketones. This is a natural result of the body breaking down fat for energy. However, these ketones can sometimes trigger a breath test, which may lead a police officer to believe there is alcohol in the person’s system, even if there is not.
Signs of impairment
On top of that, someone with diabetes may experience an episode of low blood sugar. Some of the symptoms include:
- Shakiness and sweating
- Fatigue or nausea
- Trouble concentrating
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Mental confusion
- Inability to complete routine tasks
- Slurred speech
- Blurry vision
As you can see, many of these symptoms overlap with signs of alcohol impairment. A person who is experiencing low blood sugar could fail a field sobriety test, even if they are not intoxicated.
Legal defense options
If you are facing DUI charges, medical conditions like diabetes are just one potential defense to keep in mind. Since a DUI conviction can lead to jail time, fines and a license suspension, it can help to work with an experienced defense attorney as you explore all of your legal options.