Dr. Nasser Rajallah Al-Juhani, consultant of endocrinology and diabetes and director of Al-Thaghr General Hospital in Jeddah, explained that most diabetics can fast, but after consulting the treated medical team, community and health workers and patients should be educated to coexist with diabetes during the month of Ramadan with a period of at least 3 months. The ability of the patient to fast the holy month of Ramadan depends on the type of diabetes, the type and number of doses of treatment, the level of blood sugar and the presence of complications of diabetes or other diseases accompanying it. In order for Ramadan fasting to benefit, consult with the medical team before beginning fasting one or two months at least to educate the patient about Instructions followed before and during the month of Ramadan, such as adjusting the therapeutic and dietary system and knowing whether fasting is appropriate or not
Since the period of fasting extends from dawn to sunset (approximately 15 hours in Saudi Arabia), this in turn leads to a change in the diet during the holy month of Ramadan, usually by eating two main meals during breakfast and suhoor, and breakfast is often rich in fats and simple sugars such as eating large quantities From dates, juices, sweets and fries, which leads to an increase in weight and an increase in blood sugar. With increased physical activity during the night and decreased during the day, this in turn leads to adjusting doses of medications to avoid a severe decrease or sudden rise in the level of sugar in the blood during fasting.
The categories allowed to fast and the benefits of fasting
This category includes people with type 2 diabetes - the most common - it is usually associated with weight gain and occurs in adults and the elderly and about 80% of people with type 2 diabetes can fast if the blood sugar level is stable and controlled by oral medication or diet or low doses From insulin injections, there is another segment of people with type 1 diabetes who are treated with an insulin pump. This group benefits from fasting by balancing all of the food, medication, and exercise in reducing the prescribed medication dose and reducing weight if it is in addition to avoiding the risks of obesity and improving the levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in The blood and the doctor estimate the appropriate treatment for each individual case.
Categories prohibited from fasting and the possible risks of fasting
People with diabetes who are very likely to have severe acute complications during fasting and who are not advised to fast - according to an agreement by medical and religious scholars - includes people with type 1 diabetes who rely on heavy insulin and those who suffer from severe or repeated hypoglycemia or diabetic coma (acidosis) Ketogenic) during the three months leading up to Ramadan or other acute diseases accompanying diabetes or those suffering from kidney failure and having dialysis or those who have cardiovascular disease and large unstable arterial diseases and diabetes during pregnancy and are treated with insulin injections and this group is subject to severe complications of diabetes such as a decrease or high rate Blood sugar during fasting or increased risk of ketoacidosis or dehydration
General advice for diabetics during Ramadan
You should see a doctor one to three months before Ramadan, to see if fasting is right for you or not and to adjust the treatment regimen
Commitment to eating a balanced diet that contains all the necessary elements for the body without consuming more sweets, fats and fries after breakfast because excessive intake leads to an increase in sugar and weight
Continuing with the usual daily work and avoiding heavy work during the day, especially in the afternoon, while exercising during the night
Eat enough fluids at suhoor and delay suhoor to avoid low blood sugar
Measuring the rate of sugar at home continuously during fasting by using a home blood glucose meter (blood analysis does not invalidate the fast), especially those who use insulin injections two hours before and after eating breakfast and suhoor, or if the person feels symptoms of low blood sugar
If the person feels any of the symptoms of low blood sugar, the blood sugar must be measured by using a home screening device - if he is able to do so - and if he is unable to do the analysis or if the sugar is low (less than 70 mg per decol) Immediately break the fast and break the fast by eating half a cup of fruit juice or 3 cubes of sugar or candy bars with frequent analysis to know the concentration of sugar in the blood
