Diabetics can adjust medications to cope with fasting

MIRI: Fasting during the Ramadan month could be a problem for diabetic patients. To cope with this challenge, Miri Hospital Physician Dato’ Dr Fam Tem Lom suggests that adjustment to medication intake can help diabetics cope with fasting.

“Oral medicine or insulin injection is usually prescribed thrice a day but diabetic patients can have their medication adjusted to twice a day during the fasting month. The adjustment of medication dosage would help patient cope better during the fasting month,” Dr Fam told The Borneo Post yesterday.

Those on insulin injections could ask their doctor for insulin injection that last for 24 hours instead of 12 hours.

Another reason to adjust or cut back on medication while fasting, he added, is to lower the risk of hypoglycaemia, a condition where the body experiences low blood sugar when the glucose level in blood drops below normal.

“I was told that Islamic rule allows patients not to fast during the Ramadan month. However, if they insist that they can cope with it, it is best to consult their doctor beforehand, for medication adjustment.” Breaking the fast with dates is good for diabetics as its sugar content would bring up the low sugar level in their blood after fasting said Dr Fam.

“However, they must consume in a small amount first so that it would not create any shock to their body after long hours of fasting.” He added, it is best to consume plain water during Sahur and break of fast, to help the body adapt to its empty stomach.