ISLAMABAD: In general, fasting is very challenging for people living with diabetes, particularly patients with type 1 diabetes, who are dependent on insulin.

Muslims with diabetes who wish to fast must plan diligently for a safe and healthy Ramazan. It is important to individualize each patient’s management plan depending on his or her diet and lifestyle, medications, risk of hypoglycemia, and glycemic control, and to minimize the complications associated with fasting.

In general, the risk of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes is not overly common, and it is associated less severe consequences, said Consultant Endocrinologist, Shifa International Hospital (SIH) Dr. Sheraz Khan in a seminar “Roza aur Sehat” organized by Shifa International Hospital to create awareness in diabetic patients intended to observe fasting without harming their blood glucose level.

Consultant Endocrinologist, Shifa International Hospital (SIH) Dr. Tayyab Badshah said that patients may be reluctant to self-monitor during Ramazan. Clinical experience suggests some patients may cease treatment altogether in order to observe the fast or because they feel changing time of treatment may render it ineffective. Unwillingness to self-treat hypoglycaemia symptoms by breaking the fast may lead to more severe hypoglycaemia.—PR