passing out when driving

[deevindiesel]

hi just wondered of ayt one can help. for like the past 5 months i have been passing out alot but only when im driving.

it seems to be going through stages.

first time i was doing 80mph right hand lane over taking when out of no where i felt hot, dizzy and i knew i was passing out. pulled over staight away lost vision, regained conscienceness. at the time i thought nothing of it just maybe hadnt eaten enough and was tired.

but it happened more often. it seem'd to only happen when i was going over 60 mph but have more recently discovered it not really a speed issuse at all.

few months on driving through the day time hours isnt much of a probem a few odd dizzy spells but nothing too seriuos. now im having massive problems drving at night. the whole time im driving at night i feel dizzy, light headed some times ..its hard to explain i know i can see i have vision  but im not recieving any information?? i avoid night time drving with a passion.

just recently i have not not been feeling so "dizzy" but more like out of no where im going to be sick. never actually have been but its a really strong feeling thats last for about 30 secs the goes away.

ive seen a few posts similar but not really in some one my age. Im healthy i dont drink or smoke, i have a heart murmer but have had it cheacked out and it is nothing to worry about???

I have seen my doctor but not really had much feedback. was advised that i was ok to carry on driving because i have warnings before i pass out.

any info would be great. Thanks

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Important causes of dizziness include hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hypotension (low blood pressure) .Pls get yourself evaluated for that.

Sometimes lack of proper sleep or taking stress can also lead to dizziness. Sometimes, there are partial or complete blockages in the arteries that supply the brain with blood.  These blockages can cause a temporary loss of blood flow (called transient ischemic attack, or TIA for short), or permanent loss of blood flow (called stroke; also called cerebrovascular accident).This can lead to impaired blood flow through these arteries and so dizziness. In such cases CT brain can be useful.

Get yourself examined by an eye specialist too as dizziness can also be caused by refractory changes and changes in the power of accommodation of the eyes. Ear infections and other causes like Meniere’s disease or inner ear diseases can also lead to dizziness.

Pls get yourself properly evaluated and then only drive as dizziness and driving can be a serious combination.

Take care and God bless.

[KatEyes]

How is your sleep? Almost sound like the sleep attacks I would get after years of untreated sleep disorders. I would feel myself being "overcome" (for lack of a better description). I was most susceptible when driving. Please do not assume you will always have adequate warning. The stakes are too high. If you have any reason to think you could have a sleep disorder of any kind, please see a sleep doctor for testing.