What Diabetics Should Do And Not Do While Fasting

It is important to remain healthy in Ramadan and watch out for sugars. If you suffer or know someone that suffer from diabetes, here's a list of Do's and Don'ts? 

Health experts are urging those with diabetes to check their blood sugar levels daily, as diabetes is a medical condition which involves high sugar levels along with formation of excess acidic toxins in the blood.

Dr Farhana bin Lootah, an internal medical consultant at Imperial College London Diabetes Centre (ICLDC), a Mubadala Health partner, said diabetic patients would need to know the health risks.

She listed four primary risks of fasting for a diabetic patient such as hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), dehydration, and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

People with type 1 diabetes are exempt from fasting and some with type 2 diabetes are also advised to refrain.

Before a patient decides to fast, doctors examine him/her to check if they are fit to fast as they would need to check the blood sugar levels as the levels could fluctuate after iftar.

Self-monitoring of glucose levels is essential and approved both in religious and medical practices.

“Religious scholars agree that taking blood samples either by nger-pricking or by a needle from arm veins to check blood-sugar levels does not invalidate the fast. Doctors agree it is important to perform the tests, as they help patients fast safely,” said Dr bin Lootah.

Suggested timings for glucose monitoring

She said the recommended frequency of blood tests would depend on the level of diabetes control and the category of blood sugar that a patient is suffering from. A minimum of one or two tests daily is recommended for people suffering type 2 diabetes and could go up to three for those afflicted with type 1 variant of the disease.

She suggested that the blood tests be carried out before Suhoor, during mid-morning, mid-day, before iftar and another two hours after iftar.

Also, the tests can be conducted if a patient has a low, high blood sugar level, or feeling unwell.

Dr bin Lootah said diabetic patients should be prepared to immediately break their fast if they have any of the following signs: blood sugar level of less than 70 milligrams per decilitre (mg/dl), blood sugar level of more than 300 mg/dl, symptoms of low blood sugar such as feeling dizzy, sweating profusely, blurred vision, confusion or inability to think clearly, loss of consciousness and symptoms of acute illness like vomiting and diarrhea).

Diabetic patients have been advised to drink plenty of water during non-fasting hours to avoid the increased risk of dehydration.

“With appropriate planning and monitoring, and by enlisting the help of a medical expert, a diabetic person will be far better equipped to handle the unique set of challenges that the patient faces during Ramadan,” she added.

Image Source: Time Out Dubai