How do you decide whether you are well enough to fast at Ramadan? Muslim diabetics must ask themselves this question in order to avoid serious ill-health complications from Diabetes.

In this article, we show how health care providers can help Muslim diabetic patients decide if they should be exempt from fasting during Ramadan.

Introduction

This is important, as fasting without careful guidance when someone is Diabetic can cause serious complications.

It is possible to remain safe and eat healthily during Ramadan, so why do many Diabetics develop problems?

We think the primary issue is knowing what to avoid in terms of food; what exertions people can safely take and how to keep track of their sugar levels.

Who Is Exempt From Fasting at Ramadan?

The Koran allows certain groups of people to be exempt from fasting during Ramadan:

• Children (under the age of puberty)
• Elderly and people who are sick
• People who have a learning disability
• People who are travelling
• Pregnant, breastfeeding and menstruating women
• Anyone who would be putting their health at serious risk, e.g. people who treat their diabetes with insulin or have diabetic complications (damage to their eyes, heart, kidneys or the nerves in their hands and feet)
• Patients who have Type 1 diabetes (ie who started using insulin early after initial diagnosis of Diabetes)

For clinicians, Muslim Diabetics should ideally be assessed 3-4 weeks before Ramadan to identify what their wishes are with respect to fasting and provide appropriate guidance on whether or not to fast.

In addition, if deemed suitable, clinicians can guide Muslim diabetics on the appropriate medication, diet, blood sugar monitoring etc to remain safe and well during the fasting period.

Read more about keeping well while fasting during Ramadan as a diabetic here.

Overall well being is important and the focus should be on more than just counting sugar or ketone levels. Learn about Biohacking as a method for achieving overall wellness.

Infogram – Which Diabetics are at Risk During Ramadan?

The infogram below provides some help in identifying those who are at different stages of risk.

More Reading:

• Can Muslim Diabetics Remain Well at Ramadan? – Part 1
• Helping Muslim Diabetics Remain Well at Ramadan – Part 2
• Vlog: High Protein Diets – What you should know
• When to ask: “Is my period abnormal”
• Healthy Foods To Wean Your Baby On – Infogram

Edited by AskAwayHealth Team

Disclaimer

All AskAwayHealth articles are written by practising Medical Practitioners on a wide range of health care conditions to provide evidence-based guidance and to help promote quality health care. The advice in our material is not meant to replace the management of your specific condition by a qualified health care practitioner.
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