The Medical Services Department, represented by the Diabetes clinic at Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters issued a number of instructions and tips to be followed by diabetes patients during the Holy Month of Ramadan, through leaflets distributed and explained by specialized doctors.
The instructions are part of the Ramadan Awareness Initiative; implemented by the Security Media Department at the General Secretariat of the Office of H.H Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, under the slogan "Your Safety".
Physician Dr. Mustafa Al Badawi, Internal Medicine Specialist at the Specialized Police Clinics of Abu Dhabi Police stressed the need for diabetes patients to check with their physicians before the beginning of Ramadan, to take the necessary advice regarding medications and the alteration in quantities, as well as get informed on how to deal with diabetes during fasting, to avoid hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia and how to react if that happens.
He added: “Some diabetes medications may increase risk of low blood glucose during fasting, therefore the patient may need to modify the treatment to ensure blood sugar control during Ramadan.
Regarding the appropriate diet for diabetes patient during Ramadan, Dr. Al Badawi stated that it should be healthy and balanced, as the patient must eat foods such as, wheat, Semolina and beans at Al Sohour meal before fasting. Such foods release sugar slowly which means a steady blood sugar level that helps reduce the appetite during the hours of fasting.
It’s highly recommended to eat foods that release sugars rapidly at Iftar meals; such as fruits, which increase the blood sugar level quickly; followed by carbohydrates, starches and slow effect sugars, and to avoid foods high in saturated fats. It is also recommended to increase fluid intake between Iftar and Suhoor meals.
Dr Al Badawi called on patients to maintain the usual physical activity during fasting, and avoid violent physical exercise, especially around the Iftar time, when the level of blood sugar is low.
He stressed the importance of delaying Suhoor meal for diabetics, and measuring blood sugar half an hour before fasting, to increase the intake of sugar releasing foods in case of hypoglycemia and reduce the intake of such foods in case of hyperglycemia.
Moreover, Dr. Al Badawi noted the need to stop fasting for diabetes patients in the event of hypoglycemia, even if it occurs directly before Iftar, in order to maintain the patients’ health, adding that the hypoglycemia symptoms are sweating, trembling, heart palpitations, blurred vision, headaches, extreme hunger, nervousness and fatigue.
He concluded by saying: “We highly advise diabetes patients with renal failure to refrain from fasting due to the high need for fluids and the risks of complicating the renal insufficiency.”