Diabetics advised precautions during Ramadan fasting

The Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA) and HMC have hosted a ‘Diabetes and Ramadan’ symposium to provide guidance and support to diabetics on how to manage health when fasting during Ramadan. “Ramadan is an important time of the year for people with diabetes, thus, we at QDA try to hold such events prior to Ramadan on an annual basis in which we provide the patients with education and recommendations about signs and symptoms of hyper and hypoglycemia, medication administration, and management to help them fast in a safe way and to minimise health risks,” said Dr Abdulla al-Hamaq, executive director, QDA. He stressed that it was important that people with diabetes take into account the necessary precautions during Ramadan, in order to prevent complications associated with fasting. Dr Mohsen Eledrisi, diabetes and endocrinology consultant at HMC, said that people with diabetes need to visit their doctor at least a month before Ramadan to determine their ability to fast. A medical examination and reviews for blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels to assess the overall situation of each patient is necessary, he maintained. Dr Eledrisi pointed out that fasting may impose a medical risk and the doctor may advise against fasting for the patients with type 1 diabetes (those who are on insulin injections), those who had several attacks of low sugars, those who had recent attacks of very low or very high sugar, pregnant women, those who work under intense working conditions, those with kidney disease, those with advanced diabetes complications such as heart attack or stroke and elderly patients who are not medically stable. He advised diabetics to follow up with their dietician and diabetes educator to obtain further information and devise a personalised action plan for their fasting and meal plan. “Since dietary habits frequently change during Ramadan. Some people tend to overeat at the Iftar time, while others prefer to have another meal between the Iftar and Suhoor. Therefore, the doctor may adjust the doses of medications especially insulin injections to avoid sudden rise or drop in the sugar levels,” he cautioned. He also stressed on the importance of regular blood sugar testing at home while fasting and after Iftar. The event was sponsored by Maersk Oil Qatar under the ‘Action on Diabetes’ partnership. “Ramadan and diabetes patients’ workshop was a great platform for patients to discuss and receive valuable advice about safe fasting,” said Sheikh Faisal bin Fahad al-Thani, deputy managing director, Maersk Oil Qatar, while explaining that the ‘Action on Diabetes’ partnership aims to support the Qatari authorities in raising awareness about diabetes, helping those at risk, and supporting people already living with diabetes. “This is a good example of one of the many projects the partnership is currently implementing,” he noted. The workshop was held as part of the ‘Action On Diabetes’ partnership launched by Maersk Oil, QDA, the Supreme Council of Health, HMC and world leader in diabetes care - Novo Nordisk.