Fasting and feasting safely during Ramadan in the patient with diabetes

• Published in: Practical diabetes international Vol. 22; no. 3; pp. 100 - 104
• Main Authors: Akbani, MF, Saleem, M, Gadit, WU, Ahmed, M, Basit, A, Malik, RA
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.04.2005
• Subjects: Asian; drug therapy; fasting; metabolic; Ramadan
• ISSN: 1357-8170; 1528-252X
• DOI: 10.1002/pdi.767

There are more than one billion Muslims in the world and fasting for Ramadan is an obligatory ritual for all adult Muslims. The majority of Muslims observe absolute fasting (no food or water) between dawn and sunset in the holy month of Ramadan. For people with diabetes who take part in such a fast there are potential benefits and possible risks of hypo‐ and hyperglycaemia. It is therefore important that medical professionals ensure patients and their relatives (if appropriate) have the knowledge and support to undertake fasting safely. This is as important in India, Pakistan and the Sudan, as it is in the UK, The Netherlands and the USA. This article summarises briefly the religious context of Ramadan together with its potential metabolic impact. It then focuses on providing practical guidance on changes in diet, exercise and drug regimen in patients preparing to fast in Ramadan. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.