With the approaching month of Ramadan, diabetics face a dilemma in reconciling their religious duties with the restrictions imposed by the disease. Before the holy month, questions arise that we try to answer in this report, including: When should a diabetic fast?
Is there a difference in the fasting of a diabetic patient of the first type and the second type, then how many dates can a diabetic patient eat in Ramadan?
Fasting of a type 1 diabetic patient
A patient with type 1 diabetes depends on taking insulin injections, and needs to eat food immediately after taking the dose. If the patient does not take it, the blood sugar decreases, and it may lead to a hypoglycemic coma, and its symptoms include severe sweating, dizziness, and an increased heartbeat.
Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar says that it is not recommended for patients with type 1 diabetes to fast.
But if he insists on fasting, the following must be achieved:
The blood sugar level should be regular.
He must not suffer from a decrease in the average blood sugar level during at least two months before Ramadan.
Cases in which a type 1 diabetic patient is prevented from fasting
There are cases in which fasting is not permitted at all, at great risk to the patient's life, which are:
The blood sugar level fluctuates and is not regular.
Patients treated with an insulin pump.
Diabetics who suffer from complications such as heart and kidney disease.
Fasting of a type 2 diabetic patient
Type 2 diabetes patients depend on taking diabetes tablets by mouth.
And Hamad Medical Corporation says that most patients in this category benefit from fasting, but they must organize meals at breakfast and suhoor.
What do you do if you are diabetic and want to fast?
You should consult with the health care team that treats you for diabetes well in advance of the month of Ramadan, because fasting may be dangerous for you. blessed.
Possible complications that may occur to a diabetic patient due to Ramadan fasting
Fasting carries multiple risks for patients with diabetes - of both types - who have not improved control of blood glucose levels, and among the biggest possible complications of diabetes that fasting may cause:
Excessive low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Low blood sugar below normal levels (less than 70 mg/dL or 3.9 mmol/L)
High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
It is a blood sugar level above normal levels (more than 200 mg/dL or 11.1 mmol/L), which may lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (diabetic coma) in patients with type 1 diabetes.
Diabetic ketoacidosis (diabetic coma)
When the cells of the body do not get enough glucose, they begin to burn fat for energy, and when the body burns fat instead of glucose, it produces waste products called quinones, and these quinones may increase the acidity of the blood, which poses a great danger to the patient, and the decrease Excess insulin, based on the hypothesis of a decrease in the amount of food entering the body during Ramadan, may double the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis.
Patients with type 1 diabetes who plan to fast during the month of Ramadan are more likely to develop diabetic ketoacidosis, especially if they have repeated high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) before entering the month of Ramadan.
Dehydration and blood clots
Fasting the month of Ramadan may cause dehydration for a diabetic patient, due to the lack of fluids in the body, in addition to the high rates of temperature and humidity in some areas, and dehydration may cause an increase in blood viscosity, which may increase the possibility of blood clots, and therefore it is necessary for diabetics who fast a month Ramadan is to drink plenty of water during the night hours, to protect themselves from dehydration and the resulting complications, according to Hamad Medical Corporation.
Advice for diabetics who will fast
If your doctor tells you that you can fast during Ramadan, you should pay attention to the following:
Monitor blood sugar levels
It is recommended to measure the fasting person's blood sugar level from time to time, throughout the hours of the day, and this is especially necessary for patients who are treated with insulin.
HMC recommends checking blood sugar levels at least four times a day, at the following times:
From 10:00 am to 11:00 am.
From 03:00 pm to 04:00 pm.
3 hours after breakfast.
Just before suhoor.
If a diabetic patient has indications of excessively low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), fasting and breaking the fast must be stopped immediately, in an effort to maintain a normal level of blood sugar, and to prevent the occurrence of serious diabetes complications.
nutrition
Avoid eating large amounts of food at breakfast or eating foods that are high in fat or carbohydrates.
Start your meal by eating a small amount of food that is rich in simple carbohydrates and that the body can absorb quickly, such as dates or milk.
Delaying the pre-dawn meal as much as possible.
It is preferable to contain foods rich in complex carbohydrates, such as whole grain bread and vegetables, because the body takes a long time to digest and absorb complex carbohydrates, and this keeps the body fueled with energy for the longest possible period of the day.
Exercise
Most diabetics who fast during Ramadan can maintain normal levels of physical activity and sports.
However, it is recommended, in general, to avoid exercising during fasting hours, especially before breakfast time, because it may cause the patient to suffer from hyperglycemia.
Although it is recommended to take a rest before iftar time, diabetics should avoid sleeping during this period before iftar, in order to remain alert for signs of hypoglycemia (which is more likely to occur during the last hours of the fasting day).
When is a diabetic patient advised not to fast?
Diabetes is unstable.
Type 1 diabetics.
The presence of chronic complications, such as kidney failure.
if you are undergoing dialysis.
If you suffer from frequent hypoglycemia.
If you have developed ketoacidosis (diabetic coma) during the three months preceding Ramadan.
Calories in Ramadan foods are common
One piece of fried samosas contains 250 calories, while a piece of roasted samosas contains 125 calories, so be sure to roast the samosas instead of frying them, and eat only one or two pieces of them at most, and be sure to use light fillings, such as low-fat cheese. .
One piece of Qatayef stuffed with cheese or nuts contains 200 to 400 calories;
Therefore, it is advisable to stay away from eating these foods, but if you want to eat them once in a while, be sure to roast them instead of frying them, with the use of low-fat filling, and reduce the concentration of sugar solution.
Avoid eating more than 3 dates per day, because each date provides the body with about 20 calories, and contains the equivalent of a tea spoon of sugar.
General tips for diabetics in Ramadan
Avoid adding butter or ghee to harees, jreesh, and other foods.
Make sure to drink (8-10) glasses of water during the period between Iftar and Suhoor.
It is recommended to start your breakfast with eating dates because it helps to raise the blood sugar level to the normal range.
Be sure to eat low-fat soup dishes, such as vegetable soup and lentil soup, and if you plan to eat soup with cream, skimmed milk is recommended instead of cream.
The best time to exercise is during the evening period (two hours after breakfast), and going to the mosque and performing Tarawih prayers can be considered part of the daily physical and sports activity during Ramadan.