Diabetes and fasting

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Fasting in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) depending on personal decisions.

But they should seek advice based on specific guidelines through discussions with health professionals.

T2DM diabetes is most common, but which comprises about 90 percent of diabetes patients around the world.

Senior Consultant Medicine and Endocrinology, Professor Dr. Nor Azmi Kamaruddin said, whether high or low risk patients had complications related to the practice of fasting depends on the level of their disease.

"For example, diabetics who experience severe hipoglesemia or blood sugar is very low making the patient unconscious or requires a third party within three months before Ramadan.

"Or the patients with a history of repeated hipoglesemia categorized as high risk and should not fast during Ramadan," he said. Nor Azmi.

He said studies conducted observations in five countries found that nearly 20 percent of patients with T2DM who are Muslims have the highest hipoglesemia by 45 per cent of Malaysia (24 per cent, UAE (18 per cent, India (13 [percent) and Saudi Arabia (10peratus) .

"It is estimated there are 1.2 million people with diabetes in Malaysia and more than half of them do not realize that they may have diabetes until severe diabetes develop complications such as blindness, kidney disease, nerve disease, cardiovascular disease or stroke.

"In addition, Survey of the Third National Health and Morbidity Survey, conducted in 2006 showed that, naturally significantly higher in urban than rural areas," he said.

Clearly, based on disease prevalence rates, Malaysians should not be nonchalant about monitoring blood sugar levels.

"They should eat moderately at the appropriate time. This is why fasting is quite challenging for people with diabetes who are Muslims.

"Fast foods are generally open with, but this is not recommended for diabetics because it can cause blood sugar levels increased dramatically," he said.

He said, since the drug should be eaten after a meal, patients with diabetes should not fast if they do not pre-dawn meal.

"They will be in the body for some time, causing decreased blood sugar levels if they do not eat. This will result in dizziness, drowsiness, tremors and headaches," he said. Nor Azmi.

He said Hipoglesemia or low blood sugar occurs when blood glucose levels to become too low for the body needs.

"Long intervals between meals with certain diabetes medications are risk factors that cause hipoglesemia.

"It is therefore important blood sugar level checked more frequently during a fast to better public health," he said.

Hipoglesemia he said, must be avoided because it can cause severe medical problems.

"If left untreated, can result in the loss of hipoglesemia aware or seizures that requires emergency treatment," he said.

He added that low blood sugar can occur even if a person to do all they can to manage diabetes.

"The level of low blood sugar is most often caused by certain diabetes, do not eat regularly or the work of more than usual.

"To reduce this risk, follow a regular eating schedule, and schedule of physical activity and regular medication. Discuss with the team of health experts to set a target blood sugar levels," he said. Nor Azmi.



reference Utusan Online