Diabetics have been advised to carefully manage their medication and check their blood sugar levels as they fast during the holy month.
The Health Ministry released an advisory on social media asking people living with the disease to stay alert throughout Ramadan to avoid any complications.
They have also given general guidelines on how to use the various medications provided to control the condition but have urged patients to consult medical professionals, especially if they have to inject insulin.
Speaking to the GDN, Royal Bahrain Hospital senior consultant in endocrinology and diabetes and Bahrain Diabetes and Endocrine Review chairman Dr Wiam Hussein explained the effects of fasting on those with diabetes.
“When done under medical approval and supervision, fasting can help improve blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity,” he said. “It can aid in weight loss, which is of paramount importance in diabetes management. However, it can also pose risks such as low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) and high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia).
“Therefore, it is imperative that diabetics consult with their healthcare providers before and during the fasting process.”
Dr Hussein recommend some practices that patients should observe in order to manage their blood-sugar level in Ramadan.
“Make sure to follow any changes your healthcare provider makes to medication specifically for the month,” he said. “Regularly monitor blood sugar levels during fasting and after meals. This will help you better understand the changes that are happening in your body.”
He also highlighted the importance of maintaining a well-balanced diet during the holy month. “Ensure you are eating a mix of proteins, vegetables, and carbohydrates,” he added. “After breaking fast, be mindful of sugary drinks and food. Avoid juices, even fresh ones, as they can cause a significant spike in sugar levels, and drink unsweetened beverages.
“For dessert, make sure they are low in sugar, or just replace them with fruits as alternatives. Stay hydrated all night, drink water and herbal tea over sugary drinks and caffeine.
“It is also important to stay physically active and engage in moderate activity in the non-fasting hours such as walking, which helps improve blood sugar.”
According to the Health Ministry, diabetes affects about 14.7 per cent of Bahrain’s adult population and is expected to increase, with a quarter of the population in the entire GCC suffering from the condition by 2030.
Symptoms include the need to urinate often, thirst, constant hunger, weight loss, vision changes and fatigue.
The GDN reported in January that medics were calling on people to undergo an urinalysis at least once a year as it could help in early detection of diabetes. It was estimated that about 40pc of cases lead to conditions such as kidney failure, which is deadly if left untreated.
Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes, is caused by several factors, including lifestyle choices with obesity and physical inactivity a major concern.
There are several antidiabetic medications used to treat the condition, along with a proper diet and exercise programme, and possibly with other medicines used to control high blood sugar or to increase the amount of insulin the pancreas makes.
They include Glibenclamide, Metformin, Pioglitazone Hcl, Vildaglipitin, Empagliflozin and Liraglutide.
“People using Glibenclamide should use their regular dose for iftar, but only half their dose for suhoor as it can cause a drop in blood-sugar level,” the ministry guidelines said.
“As for Metformin, patients who take a 500mg pill once a day should take it just once with iftar. Those who take two pills a day should take one with iftar and one with suhoor. Those who take three pills a day should take two with iftar and one with suhoor, and those who take four pills should take two each at iftar and suhoor.
“Patients on one dose of Gliclazide should take it once a day with iftar, and people taking two doses should take one at iftar and one at suhoor.
“People taking Pioglitazone Hcl, Vildaglipitin, Empagliflozin or Liraglutide can take the same doses as they usually did prior to Ramadan.”
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