In advance of the holy month of Ramadan, the diabetes care team at Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Al Khor Hospital is advising individuals with diabetes to consult their doctor before deciding to fast.
This week, patients and members of the public will have an opportunity to meet with physicians, educators, and dietetics staff at Al Khor Hospital as part of the healthcare organisation’s efforts to promote safer fasting practices for diabetics. Blood sugar testing, foot screenings, and interactive education sessions will be available to patients and visitors at the Al Khor Hospital Training Center between 8am and 2pm tomorrow. An Imam will also be available to provide religious opinion and guidance.
“We have organised this event to increase awareness of the effects of fasting on diabetes and its complications. With an emphasis on the personalisation of care plans for different categories of diabetes patients, we aim to ensure diabetics who choose to fast achieve the safest fasting experience possible. It is important that diabetics who choose to fast obtain an assessment and educational counseling. Consideration of physical activity, meal planning, glucose monitoring, fluid intake and dosage and timing of medications must be part of the process,” said Dr Wissam Ghadban, Senior Consultant, Al Khor Hospital.
Dr Ghadban said that while many Type 2 diabetics are able to fast without complications, adjustments in food and medication are normally required and these adjustments should not be undertaken without medical advice and supervision. Individuals with Type 1 diabetes and those with Type 2 diabetes who have poorly managed blood glucose levels are generally advised not to fast.
Others advised not to fast include elderly patients with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes who take more than one dose of insulin daily, children who haven’t yet gone through puberty, pregnant women who take insulin and breastfeeding mothers, with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, and those who are ill or frail.
