Fasting poses health risks for diabetics

Diabetics who fast during Ramadan are at risk of developing major health complications, a regional study found. The study, conducted last year on 1,066 patients in 43 clinics in several Middle East countries including Jordan, showed a high rate of acute complications including the development of hypoglycaemia — a condition that occurs when blood sugar concentrations fall below a level necessary to properly support the body's need for energy and stability throughout its cells. The study, the results of which were presented by the sponsoring company MSD Pharmaceuticals on Tuesday, showed that there were still low levels of awareness amongst diabetics about the dangers fasting could pose, and the need to be particularly careful in monitoring and maintaining blood sugar levels. “A patient’s decision to fast should be made after ample discussion with his or her physician concerning the risks involved,” said Mohammad Abbadi, managing director of MSD Jordan. ”Diabetes can result in serious complications and even death when not properly managed,” he warned. “If left untreated, hypoglycaemia can lead to serious medical problems including loss of consciousness, convulsions and seizures, which require emergency treatment,” said Nadim Mallah, head of the endocrinology and metabolism department at one of the Kingdom’s private hospitals. He added that being able to record sugar levels throughout the day is extremely important and allows physicians to better support diabetics in the management of their disease to ensure that they do not put themselves at risk of hypoglycaemia or other diabetic complications. The 2011 study also showed that dehydration, volume depletion (decrease in the amount of blood in the body), and a tendency toward hypotension (dangerously low blood pressure) may occur with fasting, “especially if the fast is prolonged and is associated with excessive perspiration”. To help diabetics who insist on fasting remain healthy during Ramadan, MSD also developed a cookbook of healthy, diabetic-friendly recipes. The book, prepared in collaboration with the Arab Centre for Nutrition, will be available to all Jordanian diabetics and will be distributed at workplaces and schools. According to the latest study conducted by the National Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Genetics, the prevalence of diabetes in Jordan is 35 per cent among women over 25 and 36 per cent among men.