Brunei's Local News - Brudirect.com

Bandar Seri Begawan - Diabetic Muslims in the country must weigh the benefits versus risks of fasting, said a dietitian from the Dietetic Services Department of the Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC).

According to Rozanna M Rosly, all diabetic individuals should obtain advice from medical physicians regarding dose adjustment and changes in medications or fluid requirements, if they wish to fast during Ramadhan.

To meet nutritional requirements and eating adequately to control blood sugar levels, they should seek a dietitian's advice, she said.

This would usually include avoiding an excessive intake of oily and fried food. Instead, they should keep to a balanced diet consisting of enough energy in the form of high-fibre food, carbohydrates and protein, the dietitian added.

In her guidelines, she said that if on diet alone, one must not over-indulge at night. However, fasting might benefit overweight individuals.

In some cases, weight gain will occur in some diabetic individuals due to poor food choices, or when the total amount of food eaten remains the same, and there is a reduction in the level of physical activity.

If a diabetic individual is on an oral medication, morning dose should be taken after the breaking of fast and evening dose in smaller dosage taken after sahur, or pre-dawn meal.

All patients should understand that they are to break fast at any time if hypoglycaemia occurs.

Hypoglycaemia is a condition where the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood drops below a certain point - about 3.0mmol/L. Symptoms includes dizziness, sweating and fatigue that usually go away 10 to 15 minutes after eating sugar.

In addition, frequent monitoring of blood sugar is essential among diabetic patients. They should check their blood glucose level multiple times daily, especially during the breaking of fast, two hours after breaking of fast, before sahur, two-four hours after sahur, mid to late afternoon and other times especially if hypo symptoms are experienced.

She further encouraged all diabetics to be familiar with the warning symptoms of dehydration (weight fluctuations, lethargy), hypoglycaemia, other possible complications, including kidney problems, high blood pressure, heart problems and changes in mental alertness.

It is necessary to adjust sleep and physical activity levels. Normal levels of physical activity may be maintained. However, excessive physical activity may lead to higher risk of hypoglycemia and should be avoided, particularly during the few hours before the sunset meal.

Rozanna also advised diabetic individuals to have a close communication and strict monitoring with a medical physician and dietitian. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times