1. Please
undergo Pre-Ramzan-Fasting medical evaluations and ensure you are free from
advanced complications of Diabetes involving the heart, eyes, kidneys or the
nerves.
2. Majority of Type-2 diabetics who are on OHA drugs do safely and successfully
complete the fastings in Ramzan provided they make the necessary modifications
in the drug type, dosage or time of taking as advised by their Doctor.
3. Be informed and aware of Hypo and Hyperglycemia symptoms, and if these are
severe do not continue with fasting that day, and you may need to break your
fast immediately.
4. Early signs of Hypoglycemia or sudden & steep fall in blood glucose levels
include sweating, tremors, palpitations, pallor, tingling of lips, hands & feet,
sudden blurring of vision, irritability, mental confusion and disorientation
etc.
5. Early sign of Hyperglycemia or abnormally high blood glucose levels include
extreme thirst, increased urination, severe tiredness & exhaustion, head ache &
severe body pains, Abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting, and breathing
difficulty etc.
6. Delay eating your Suhur meals till the last ½ to 1 hour from the permitted
dead line. And do not delay Iftar or ritual breaking of the fast beyond the
stipulated time.
7. For Suhur meal pick up food items of low glycemic value which will be
digested and absorbed at slower rates, e.g. chapatti, dhal, soji, steam-cooked
or boiled vegetables and non-vegetarian items. Avoid sweet dishes and sweet
drinks.
8. For Iftar start with dates, pinch of salt or some sweetened items or fruit
juices. Avoid highly oily items. Prefer grilled, baked or boiled food items.
9. After Iftar and till late in the night drink plenty of sugar free fruit
juices, water, milk, salted butter milk, light tea/ coffee etc. so that the body
would recover any water losses incurred in the day time.
10. Spend day time peacefully in prayers & meditations and attend calmly to your
routine daily activities without haste and without undue exertions.
11. Learn to test your Blood Sugar at home by using a Glucometer, and do test
your blood sugar if you are feeling sick or unwell. On all such occasions be on
the lookout for signs of Hypo or Hyperglycemia.
12. Blood testing does not interfere with our fasting. It does not nullify our
fasting.
13. Those who are suffering from Type-1 Diabetes need necessarily to take daily
Insulin Injections at all times. There are some persons suffering from Type-2
Diabetes who may also be in need of Insulin. All such persons taking Insulin
need to test their blood sugars more often, ideally before eating Suhur, before
Iftar and 2 hours after eating Iftar meals. They need to adjust their Insulin
dosage based on their sugar values as guided by their Doctor.
14. Keep in mind the Generous exemptions for abstaining from fasting, granted by
the Almighty for the very old, sick, infirm, very young, the pregnant ladies etc
and if deemed necessary make judicious and fair use of this Concession.
15. If in doubt please do not hesitate to consult our Learned Religious
Scholars, and Well informed & Committed Muslim Doctors.
Prepared and Presented by:
Dr.M.Abdul Jaleel, MBBS, Dip.Diab, MHSc (Diabetology)
E-mail: dr.majaleel@gmail.com,
www.ajpolyclinic.hpage.com