Dallas DWI Lawyer

Fort Worth Medical Conditions Attorney

Too many people assume that because they blew a .08 on the Intoxylzer breath test their blood alcohol content was measured accurately and they have no defense against DWI charges.

That's not necessarily the case.

There are a number of medical factors that can affect the accuracy of a breath test, in addition to problems with the Intoxylizer equipment itself and problems with the administration of the breath test.

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Fighting DWI charges in Texas isn't easy but it's worth it to protect your license and your criminal record. Contact a Dallas DWI lawyer at Crain Lewis, LLP. We've helped hundreds of people just like you save their driver's license. We know that this is a difficult time for you, and we are ready to help. Call 214.522.9404 for a free initial consultation.

Inaccurate Breath Test Results and Airflow

The Intoxilyzer and other breath test machines require an adequate sample of deep lung air for at least five seconds in order to achieve a valid result. This can be difficult for people with lung problems such as asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema and for some people with heart disease.

Other Sources of Alcohol on Your Breath

Everyone's body chemistry is slightly different. Some of these differences relate to medical conditions and some are simply the result of individual differences. One of these differences is alcohol or substances that are read by the breathalyzer machine as alcohol. Acetone is one such substance and it can be found in the breath of people with diabetes.

Gastro-Esophageal Reflex Disease — GERD

Gastro-esophageal reflex disease is similar to acid reflux disease in that a person has symptoms of heartburn, indigestion, abdominal pain and difficulty swallowing. It may feel like food has not gone down properly or that belching will bring food back up the esophagus. The symptoms are worse with spicy, fried and fatty foods, alcohol and caffeine. If you have a hiatal hernia, you may also have GERD. It is also more common in people who are overweight, who smoke, or who are pregnant.

Many people do not know they have GERD and yet it can create significant problems with blood alcohol tests. Breath testing machines can fail to work properly because it is measuring alcohol or alcohol-related chemicals coming from the stomach or esophagus, rather than the lungs, giving a false reading.

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Contact Crain Lewis, LLP, today if you have been charged with driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.