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As the month of Ramadan approaches, diabetics face a dilemma in reconciling their religious duties with the restrictions imposed by the disease. Before the holy month, questions arise that we are trying to answer in this report, including: When does a diabetic patient fast?
Is there a difference in fasting for a type 1 and type 2 diabetic, and how many dates can a diabetic eat in Ramadan?
Fasting for a type 1 diabetic
A type 1 diabetic patient depends on taking insulin injections, and needs to eat food immediately after taking the dose. If the patient does not take it, blood sugar decreases, and may lead to a hypoglycemic coma, the symptoms of which include severe sweating, dizziness, and increased heart rate.
Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar says that it is not recommended for a patient with type 1 diabetes to fast.
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 blood sugar levels for at least two months before Ramadan.
Situations in which fasting is prohibited for a patient with type 1 diabetes
There are cases in which fasting is not allowed at all due to the severe risk to the patient’s life, and they are:
The blood sugar level is fluctuating and irregular.
Patients treated with an insulin pump.
A diabetic who suffers from complications such as heart and kidney disease.
Fasting for a type 2 diabetic
Type 2 diabetics rely on taking oral diabetes tablets.
Hamad Medical Corporation says that most patients in this category benefit from fasting, but they must organize meals for iftar and suhoor.
What do you do if you are diabetic and want to fast?
You must consult the health care team treating you for diabetes well before Ramadan begins, because fasting may be dangerous for you. The treating medical team will explain to you whether you can fast safely, and will provide you with the necessary advice and guidance on how to manage your condition throughout the month of Ramadan. Blessed.
Possible complications that may occur to a diabetic patient due to fasting during the month of Ramadan
Fasting entails multiple risks for diabetics - of both types - who have not managed their blood glucose levels well. Among the biggest potential diabetes complications that fasting may cause are:
Excessive low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
This is a drop in blood sugar below normal levels (less than 70 mg/dL or 3.9 mmol/L)
Excessive blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
It is a high 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 body's cells do not get enough glucose, they begin to burn fat to obtain energy. When the body burns fat instead of glucose, it produces waste products called quinones. These quinones may increase the acidity of the blood, which poses a great danger to the patient, as the decline 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 most at risk of developing diabetic ketoacidosis, especially if they repeatedly suffer from high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) before the month of Ramadan.
Dehydration and blood clots
Fasting during the month of Ramadan may cause dehydration for a diabetic patient, due to the body’s lack of fluids, in addition to high levels of temperature and humidity in some areas. Dehydration may cause an increase in blood viscosity, which may increase the possibility of blood clots. Therefore, diabetics who fast for a month must During Ramadan, people should drink abundant amounts of water during the night hours, to protect themselves from dehydration and the resulting complications, according to Hamad Medical Corporation.
Tips for diabetics who will fast
If your doctor tells you that you can fast during Ramadan, you should pay attention to the following things:
Monitor blood sugar levels
It is recommended to measure the fasting blood sugar level from time to time, throughout the day, and this is especially necessary for patients treated with insulin.
Hamad Medical Corporation 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.
Immediately before suhoor.
If a diabetic patient finds signs of excessive low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or excessive 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 high in fat or carbohydrates.
Start your meal by eating a small amount of a food rich in simple carbohydrates that the body can absorb quickly, such as dates or milk.
Delaying the suhoor meal as much as possible;
It is preferable to contain foods rich in complex carbohydrates, such as whole grain bread and vegetables, because it takes a long time for the body to digest and absorb complex carbohydrates, and this keeps the body supplied with energy for the longest possible period of the day.
Exercise
Most diabetics who fast during Ramadan can maintain normal levels of physical activity.
However, in general, it is recommended to avoid exercising during fasting hours, especially before breakfast, because it may cause the patient to suffer from excessive hypoglycemia.
Although resting before breakfast is recommended, diabetics should avoid sleeping during this period before breakfast, in order to remain alert to signs of hyperglycemia (which are 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 diabetes patients.
The presence of chronic complications, such as kidney failure.
If you are undergoing dialysis.
If you suffer from frequent hyperglycemia.
If you have suffered from ketoacidosis (diabetic coma) during the three months preceding Ramadan.
Calories in common Ramadan foods
One piece of fried samosa contains 250 calories, while a piece of toasted samosa contains 125 calories. Therefore, be sure to toast the samosa instead of frying it, and only eat one or two pieces of it 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 avoid eating these foods, but if you want to eat them once in a while, be sure to roast them instead of frying them, use a low-fat filling, and reduce the concentration of the sugar solution.
Avoid eating more than 3 dates a day, because each date provides the body with about 20 calories and contains the equivalent of a teaspoon of sugar.
General advice for diabetics during Ramadan
Avoid adding butter or ghee to Harees, Jareesh, 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 dates because it helps raise your blood sugar level to the normal range.
Make sure to eat low-fat soup dishes, such as vegetable soup and lentil soup, and if you plan to eat cream soup, it is recommended skim milk instead of cream.
The best time to exercise is in the evening (two hours after breakfast), and going to the mosque and performing Tarawih prayers can be considered part of daily physical activity during the month of Ramadan.
Source: Al Jazeera + agencies