Know how to fast during Ramadan
Diabetes experts list do’s and don’ts for holy month
THE holy month of Ramadan will start on June 28 and doctors have sounded the alarm bells for diabetics to take extra care during the fasting month.
Pharmaceutical company Lilly South Africa hosted a discussion on managing the disease during Ramadan at the New Ahmed Al Kadi Pri-
Without proper medical advice, diabetics can suffer complications during fasting, like high or low sugar
vate Hospital in Durban last week.
The medical director of Lilly South Africa in Johannesburg, Dr Aneesa Sheik, said the discussion formed part of a series of eight to address the proper treatment of diabetes.
“These conversations look at individual cases, whether they are type 1 or type 2 diabetes cases.
“Type 1 is insulin-dependent. It’s usually genetic and diagnosed in younger patients. We don’t advise these diabetics to fast for Ramadan, but globally 43% of them still do.
“In type 2, which develops later in a person’s life, the body develops a resistance to insulin. These cases may be caused by a genetic disposition or obesity.”
These cases could be managed by a proper diet and lifestyle and 80% of Muslims with type 2 diabetes fasted for Ramadan, said Sheik.
“Without proper medical advice, diabetics can suffer complications during fasting, like high or low sugar, which can also cause dehydration and thrombosis. It can also cause ketones that lead to acidosis and a patient can go into a coma.”
Professor Mahomed Omar, an endocrinologist and diabetologist at the Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology in Durban, discussed how diabetics ought to fast.
“They need to adjust their medication during the fast and monitor their blood sugar. Precaution is needed for diet and exercise, and it’s important that diabetics know how to deal with and overcome problems during fasting,” said Omar.
For more information, visit lillydiabetes.co.za or lilly.com.