Research Article
Ahmed Hasan Raheem¹*
Abstract
The health workers, especially physicians, confront a lot of inquiries regarding ability of diabetic Muslim patients for fasting during Ramadan month and best management method to complete this hallowing month with good glycemic control with minimum risk of hypoglycemia. To reach this purpose we need effective cooperation between patients and local health centers. In this article review we try to discuss some medical articles that deals with important health problems that can affect diabetic patients during Ramadan and their resolving means. The diabetic patient who wants to fast Ramadan should be educated about importance of predawn meal and risk of vigorous exercise during fasting period. The iftar best to contain whole wheat flour chapattis, vegetables, and a meat dish. Salads increase the fiber intake. A glass of milk or fruit at bedtime will maintain normoglycaemia till suhoor. There are certain diabetic patients with special risk as in elderly, pregnant and those with comorbidities, require careful assessment before make decision of fasting during Ramadan. The management of diabetes mellitus (DM) pre and during Ramadan need careful supervision and changing of the time, type and dose of treatment may be needed also.The diabetic patient should be educated for hypoglycemic features( e. g head ache, tremor sweating, anxiety, nervousness, hunger and palpitation) specially in Ramadan and suitable diet to correct hypoglycemia should be available always with patients – Insulin, sulphonylureas and meglitinides these antidiabetic agents have high risk of hypoglycemia, so need frequent checking of blood sugar or replace them with other gents that have rare risk of hypoglycemia like metformin, Di-peptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor and thiazolidinediones (TZD).
Keywords: Ramadan, Fasting, Diabetes, Hypoglycemia