Experts from Imperial College London Diabetes Centre (ICLDC) are advising individuals with diabetes to check with doctors before fasting for Ramadan.
A person with diabetes can face health issues like low blood sugar, high blood sugar, dehydration and a serious complication of diabetes which involves high sugar levels along with the formation of excess acids in the blood.
Individuals need to check with their doctors regarding whether they can or are exempt from fasting.
Once allowed, individuals need to maintain their blood sugar levels by checking them multiple times a day.
Dr Farhana Bin Lootah, an internal medical consultant at ICLDC recommends checking blood sugar levels depending on the type of diabetes, with type 1 testing at least two to three times a day and type 2 testing a minimum of one to two times a day.
ICLDC suggests targets before Suhoor blood glucose targets should be 120-140mg/dl, with mid-morning blood glucose should be 140-180mg/dl. Midday blood glucose targets should be 120-180mg/dl and before Iftar, blood glucose should not be below 70mg/dl. Two hours after iftar, blood glucose targets should not be above 180mg/dl.
Dr Farhana added that patients should break their fast immediately if their blood sugar level is less than 70 mg/dl or if the blood sugar level is more than 300 mg/dl or if they show symptoms of low blood sugar like feeling dizzy, sweaty or shaky, blurred vision, confusion or inability to think clearly, loss of consciousness or symptoms of acute illness including vomiting or diarrhoea.
Plenty of water should be taken while the individual is not fasting in order to avoid the risk of dehydration.
Dr Farhana also mentioned, "With appropriate planning and monitoring, and by enlisting the help of a medical expert, a person with diabetes will be far better equipped to handle the unique set of challenges he or she faces during Ramadan."