From the news desk

How to fast safely if you’re diabetic

Share this article

Muslims observe the holy month of Ramadan by abstaining from food, drink and oral medications from dawn to dusk. Although the Qur’an specifically exempts people with a medical condition from the duty of fasting, many diabetics still choose to fast. According to the EPIDIAR Study Group: A Population-based Study of Diabetes and its Characteristics During the Fasting Month of Ramadan which was conducted in 13 Countries, it is estimated that 40-50 million people with diabetes, worldwide, will fast during Ramadan, which starts this year on June 18 (subject to the sighting of the new moon).

“Fasting presents significant challenges for diabetics in terms of managing blood sugar levels, which is why diabetic persons should consult with their doctor prior to the holy month of Ramadan to find out if they can fast and if so, plan a way to do it safely,” says Dr Aneesa Sheik, Medical Director of Lilly South Africa.

The lack of food and water during the day, along with a heavy evening meal, can create serious health issues for people living with diabetes, as they are faced with major disruptions to their diet and daily routines, which may lead to serious complications among which are low or high blood sugar levels. Studies have shown that there is an increased risk of severe low blood sugar levels for individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, especially for those who change the dosages of their oral medications or insulin1, 2.

Blood sugar level that is too low and left untreated can cause confusion, clumsiness, or fainting, and in the case of severe low blood sugar, can lead to seizures, coma, and even death. A high blood sugar level can damage blood vessels, and over a long period of time can result in serious complications, including irreversible organ damage.

Dr Mak Omar, an independent medical professional: “Finding the right tools and resources, including time and personnel to educate patients and encourage them to discuss a treatment plan for fasting during Ramadan with their doctor is still a major challenge for healthcare professionals. Many of my patients have undertaken such an exercise. They have found it very useful in managing their diabetes during the Ramadan fast. The Conversation Map has certainly given them much more confidence.”

A “Conversation Map” tool, specific to “Managing Diabetes during Ramadan” has been launched in 2013 and used across the country and beyond. The tool, supported by Lilly, was created by Healthy Interactions, in collaboration with the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). It has been used in more than forty countries and translated into more than thirty languages.

According to Lilly’s Dr. Sheik, the tool represents an innovative approach to educate patients through conversations facilitated by IDF certified health experts. The map is created specifically for people with diabetes who choose to fast during Ramadan. It helps doctors and nurses guide their patients on how to daily manage diabetes, understand myths and facts about diabetes, the major complications to watch out for during fasting and the important habits to maintain while fasting.

Healthcare professionals who would like to use the Conversation Map tools for patient group consultations can contact Lilly South Africa on 011 510 9300, for more information.

Upcoming Ramadan Conversation Maps public events:

Cape Town:

6 June: Victoria Rd Mosque, Grassy Park, Cape Town at 13h45

KZN

6 June: Al Ameen Musjid Hall, Montford, Chatsworth, Durban at 14h00

Diabetics who would like to attend a Conversation Map session with a healthcare practitioner in KZN to ensure better management of their diabetes during Ramadan can also SMS Shubnum Haniff-Ismail at Lilly on 084 305 0387, and include your suburb details. You’ll be forwarded details of the educational sessions closest to you. VOC


Share this article

13 comments

  1. 3 Steps to Destroy Your Diabetes… Forever!
    Thanks to new research from Newcastle University in England, people all over the world are permanently destroying their Type 2 Diabetes.
    And all it takes is 3 steps… You could get started tonight.
    But Big Pharma is making BILLIONS of insulin sales, and they don’t want you to see this.
    They’re labeling any doctor who spreads the news a quack.
    Make sure you discover this 3 Step Diabetes cure before it gets taken down again.
    Check out the 3 steps by clicking the link below.
    >> http://tinyurl.com/curediabetesday <<

  2. Hi I had diabetes long visited many doctors, but everyone said the same thing this disease has no cure, but I always thought that God has the last word. So I looked for information everywhere and the Internet I found this book gave me a hope to regain my health have followed the method of the book, I feel much better good results with my sugar levels in the blood are stable and low sincerely years I was taking my medicines could never cure diabete, but haora and I feel much better and am very agradesido with the method.
    Get information from the book here >>http://howtocurediabetes2.blogspot.com/

  3. Countless studies from scientists and doctors all over the world have proven that people with type 2 diabetes can normalize blood sugar, increase insulin sensitivity, end neuropathy pain, lower risk of blindness, amputations and be taken off all diabetes drugs and insulin injections. Patients with type 1 diabetes are also able to greatly reduce drug and insulin dosages while lowering blood sugar. Read more about new methods here: http://fb.me/7s7GjDKYG

  4. Do you have Diabetes? Spend money on drugs? – Now there is a method that will help to forget about diabetes. Learn why doctors hide from us the way to get rid of diabetes for good.
    When I came across this site, I was shocked by the information which is concealed from us. Now I am free from diabetes. Friends encourage you to read. It's amazing. All the details here
    http://nomorediabetes1.blogspot.com/

  5. I have been diabetic for some time and I followed a wide variety of treatments, I have even combined with different medicinal plants without clear results. My health was deteriorating more and more. But thanks to a method that I found on the internet to achieve the results he wanted, knew from the beginning that this could help me, and I began to follow the method for 3 months the results were wonderful: I recommend this method. For your diabetes. fb.me/7XK4F3XLl

  6. Hello, thank you for sharing this post!

    I want to tell you my story. I am diabetic. 10 years I suffered from this disease, I threw a lot of money on medicines and treatment. I never thought that the day will come and I will be able to give up drugs. But once I found a site on the Internet who helped me. Pharmaceutical companies have taken a lot of money. But actually there is a way to help get rid of diabetes for good. This is not fiction. You can read more on this site
    >> http://bit.ly/thesolutionfordiabetes
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .

  7. Countless studies­­­­­­­­ from scientists and doctors ­­­­­­­­all over the world have proven ­­­­­­­­that people with type 2 diabetes ­­­­­­­­can normalize blood sugar, ­­­­­­­­increase insulin sensitivity, end ­­­­­­­­neuropathy pain, lower risk of ­­­­­­­­blindness, amputations and be ­­­­­­­­taken off all diabetes drugs and­­­­­­­­ insulin injections. Patients with­­­­­­­­ type 1 diabetes are also able­­­­­­­­ to greatly reduce drug ­­­­­­­­and insulin dosages while lowering blood sugar. ☼ fb.me/2tyqlH236 ☼

  8. It was the biggest medical mystery of the century.
    Every year, thousands of people’s Type 2 Diabetes disappeared…and not even their doctors could say why! Finally, in 2013, a rogue researcher found the answer: An “at-home” solution, to naturally and safely reverse your Type 2 Diabetes permanently http://tiny.cc/Diabeticcure

  9. Eating fewer ­­­­­­­­calories is pretty straightforward when you follow ­­­­­­­­three guiding principles. First, stick with a primarily­­­­­­­­ plant-based diet (fruits, vegetables, whole­­­­­­­­ grains, beans, nuts, and heart-healthy fats, like­­­­­­­­ olive oil).
    Second, limit processed ­­­­­­­­foods (such as frozen meals, deli­­­­­­­­ meats, and refined carbohydrates, including pastries and white ­­­­­­­­bread), which contain lots of empty calories­­­­­­­­ in the form of sugar and unhealthy fats (not to­­­­­­­­ mention a lot of salt).
    [Method] How i shed 53 pounds­­­­­­­­ of undesirable body fat and drop­­­­­­­­ 12 dress sizes in just 4 months, click here☼ fb.me/xdNSlQcs ☼

  10. hello
    am a 76 year old woman who has had diabetes for the past twenty years. Recently my counts blood sugar were completely out of control and frightened. Remembering how my mother gave daily injections of insulin, I did not want this procedure to take over my life. I thought I knew everything about how to keep under control. But it was wrong . diabetics can normalize blood sugar, and are removed from all insulin injections and drugs completely naturally. I am very excited about this program was a necessity before I could start my new medication regimen. I'm excited to see the results of my effort and I am very grateful

  11. Twelve months ago I constantly had to go to the bathroom. I thought it was because I gave up soft drinks and was only drinking water. One day I had a stomachache. I was in bed for 4 days. The doctor’s appointment was for a Wednesday. I got sick and went to emergency room on a Monday. I was told my blood sugar level was 810 and I have diabetes. I was taking taking metformin 1000 mg twice daily. It Wasn’t really helping Last year, a family friend told me about Organic Herbal clinic and their successful Diabetes TREATMENT, I visited their website ww w . organicherbalclinic. co m and ordered their Diabetes Formula, i am happy to report the treatment effectively treated and reversed my Diabetes, most of the symptoms stopped, I’m able to eat well, sleep well and exercise regularly., I’m pretty active now and my attitude is extremely positive.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

WhatsApp WhatsApp us
Wait a sec, saving restore vars.