Doctors Advise Diabetic Muslims on Safely Observing Ramadan Fast

According to the precepts of Islam, fasting during the month of Ramadan is mandatory for all healthy adult Muslims. Sick people are exempt from fasting. However, several diabetic people insist on observing the Ramadan fast.

Professor Abdul Basit, regional president of the IDF for the Middle East and North Africa region, and Professor Yakoob Ahmedani advise diabetics who wish to observe the fast to consult their doctors and take certain precautions. They must also adopt a program based on risk quantification, medication adjustments and blood glucose monitoring.

Among the risks that diabetics who fast face are strokes, dehydration, hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. These risks are, with some differences, the same for type 1 and type 2 diabetics. The professors explain that by following certain rules, type 1 and type 2 diabetics could observe the Ramadan fast without great risk. Self-monitoring of blood glucose, for example, strengthens the safety of people and improves glucose management.

For type 2 diabetics on oral medications, doctors advise them to take their doses between dawn and dusk if they want to fast. Caution must be exercised; and in the presence of hyperglycemia, an insulin injection is required.