Patients should check blood sugar levels more than one time: Expert

Manama : A health expert advised patients with diabetes complications to not fast during the Holy Month of Ramadan this year.

Diabetes Patients’ Care Coordinator at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) Iman Al Ansari said in a statement that diabetes patients suffering from cardiac, kidneys and visual impairments are exposed more to sugar levels disorders and complications of hypoglycemia and high blood acidity.

Al Ansari advised patients to consult their doctors before taking the decision to fast this year, especially those who depend on insulin injections so they can reset their doses.

“Diabetes patients should check their blood sugar levels more than one time during the fasting period. In case they feel any symptoms of low blood sugar, such as dizziness, sweating or fainting, the fasting should be ceased immediately,” the expert said.

She explained: “It’s advised to eat slow-digesting carbs and legumes. Patients should also consider eating suitable amounts of fiber-rich foods, such as vegetables. They should take into account eating small amounts of food at different times after breaking the fast, rather than eating a big meal. It’s important to avoid saturated fat foods and sweets.”

Al Ansari advised to delay Suhoor (last meal before fasting) meal and drink sufficient amounts of water to avoid dehydration.

It’s noteworthy that diabetes rates in Bahrain are among the highest in the world, 15.4 to 20 per cent of citizens above the age of 20 are diabetic. Around 45 new cases among children alone are registered every year. The latest statistics of the World Health Organisation (WHO) showed that there are 347 million diabetes patients in the world.  

DT News published recently that fasting hours doing the approaching Holy Month of Ramadan is expected between 15 hours and 7 minutes and 15 hours and 18 minutes. 

Studies showed that temperatures would vary between 36.4 Celsius and 44.8 with humidity average of 77 per cent throughout Ramadan, which is expected to begin on June 6.