The situation of a diabetes patient differs from others during Ramadan. Their health condition requires strict measures to prevent complications or health issues that may arise due to fasting.
Particularly for those with diabetes, patients should prepare in advance with necessary medical follow-ups before Ramadan begins, explained Dr. Ralph Khoury, an endocrinologist and diabetes specialist at Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital, in an interview with Annahar.
How should a diabetes patient prepare for Ramadan?
Before Ramadan, a diabetes patient should consult their doctor to establish the necessary guidelines for fasting, given their special condition. Khoury notes that today, recommendations are more flexible than in previous years. In the past, fasting was often prohibited for most diabetes patients. Now, however, fasting is generally permitted under medical supervision, which assesses whether a patient is at high risk of complications.
Who should not fast?
Patients with uncontrolled blood sugar levels.
Patients whose blood sugar reserves exceed 7.5.
Patients with diabetes-related complications.
Pregnant women with diabetes.
Khoury explains that specific tools and criteria help determine who is at greater risk. Outside these cases, diabetes patients can usually fast after consulting their doctor and taking necessary precautions.
Do diabetes medications affect the risk of fasting?
Diabetes medications fall into two types:
Medications that lower blood sugar.
Medications that do not lower blood sugar.
Medications that do not lower blood sugar, such as Ozempic, can generally be continued. For medications that lower blood sugar, like insulin, patients must consult their doctor for dosage adjustments and timing based on fasting. In some cases, stopping the medication may be necessary. Low blood sugar is among the most significant risks a diabetes patient can face during Ramadan.
Khoury advises adjusting medication timing and dosages for fasting, emphasizing that patients should stop fasting if blood sugar drops below 70 or rises above 300.
Diet and lifestyle recommendations
Diabetes patients should follow a balanced diet during Ramadan, consuming carbohydrates, proteins, and vegetables. Sweets are allowed in moderation, preferably desserts with complex carbohydrates and a low sugar index, ideally after Suhoor. Iftar should be divided into several smaller meals, each containing different nutrients, and fried foods, sugar-rich drinks, and ready-made foods should be limited or avoided.
Eating dates and exercise
Diabetes patients can eat dates, treating them as a dessert substitute, with a maximum of three to four pieces. They should continue exercising during Ramadan, though starting a new exercise routine during the fasting month is not advised.
