Is it safe to drive with a migraine?
Migraine is a severe headache that has a number of accompanying symptoms. Depending on the person, a migraine can be accompanied by sensitivity to light, nausea, vomiting, and severe pain. If you've had migraines for years or are just starting to get migraines, you may be wondering if you can drive during a migraine attack.
Here are some things to consider before driving with a migraine:
Some migraine sufferers experience an aura even before a migraine attack. An aura can be visual impairment or strange light, depending on how the person affects it. A migraine can last from two to 72 hours.
If you experience an aura or a migraine, you may not want to drive. Migraine sufferers are usually sensitive to light, and this can make driving difficult, especially on a sunny day.
Other migraine symptoms include nausea and severe pain. Pain can be distracting and prevent you from driving. Also, if you feel sick to the point of throwing up, it's not a safe driving situation.
Another consequence of migraine is cognitive difficulties, which include impaired or slow judgment. Often, when people have a migraine, mental processes slow down and it can be difficult for them to make split-second decisions, such as stopping or rebuilding.
If you are taking migraine medications, these medications may have a sticker on them warning you not to drive or operate heavy machinery. This may be because the medication may make you drowsy or make you feel worse while the medication is in your body. If you drive while on medication and cause an accident, you may be held liable. Laws vary in the United States, but it's best not to drive while you're taking migraine medication.
Driving with a migraine can be potentially dangerous. If you have severe pain, nausea, and vomiting, it may be worth staying home and waiting out the migraine. Also, if you are taking migraine medication that specifically says not to drive, don't drive. A migraine can slow down the decision-making process, making driving unsafe.
