Every Florida resident agrees that driving drunk is not a good idea. But whether a driver is actually drunk or not can be a complicated area. There are certain medical conditions that may affect a person’s blood alcohol content level.

When a person is pulled over on suspicion of a DUI, they can feel anxious and afraid. If a person has certain medical conditions, this may affect their blood alcohol level. One is asthma. The use of an inhaler medications can register alcohol levels, including Albuterol and Budesonide. There are also commonly used over the counter medications that contain alcohol including Nyquil and Vicks. If a person has a tooth ache and uses Ora-gel, it can register on a breath test or if a person has had dental work that day, the antiseptic used in the mouth usually contains alcohol. Those who have diabetes and high ketone levels may also register higher on a BAC test. In addition, many residents suffer from acid reflux. The stomach acid can rest in the esophagus where the breathalyzer test uses samples from. This can raise a person’s BAC level.

When a person is under suspicion for a DUI it is important that they understand their legal rights. A legal professional who specializes in DUI defense can help their client with their case. An attorney understands what is at stake for their client, including loss of driving privileges, installation of an ignition interlock device, thousands of dollars in fines, jail time, and a tarnished personal and professional reputation.

A Florida resident may find it surprising that there are many medical conditions and common medications that can affect their blood alcohol content. If they are ever facing a DUI charge, an attorney who specializes in DUI defense can help their client by using DUI science.

Source: harcourthealth.com, “4 medical conditions that affect the validity of breathalyzers“, Valerie Terger, accessed on May 16, 2018