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A GUIDELINE HAS been launched for Muslims with type 2 diabetes who are planning to fast during Ramadan.
This year, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar falls from 9 July to 7 August, during summertime, when there will be increased hours of daylight, which poses a particular challenge for people with diabetes.
Abstaining from eating, drinking and using oral medications from dawn to sunset could cause hypoglycemia, and if left untreated, it can lead to loss of consciousness, convulsions or seizures.
‘The Facts About Fasting During Ramadan’ by MSD is an information kit on fasting so that patients can be supported to effectively manage their diabetes.
Dr. Shah. Consultant Endocrinologist at Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, acknowledged that prolonged fasting poses health risks for people with diabetes, but said their decision should be supported:
It’s important that people with diabetes be appropriately supported if they choose to fast during Ramadan. For many, this is a very personal choice, and one which is not made lightly.
“This is practically challenging for Muslims who take medication to manage their diabetes and this year given that Ramadan is falling over the summertime with longer daylight hours, it is vital that patients and their GPs plan ahead and discuss any necessary changes to treatment,” said Dr Anna Clarke, Health Promotion and Research Manager with Diabetes Ireland.
More than 191,380 people in Ireland currently have diabetes, equating to 6.1 per cent of the population. Between 2010 and 2020 the number of adults with diabetes in Ireland is expected to rise by 30 per cent.
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Religion is bad for your health. Physical and mental.
Shouldn’t you be at some atheist conference?
Exactly Stephen.
The people who celebrate the holiday will do just fine. They’ve been doing it for hundreds of years, they don’t need some 2013 study to tell them to stop doing it.
Yea….who needs silly health studies!! Sure we will all be fine!!
Listen to the Mullahs ignore science !
I’ll be enjoying my pork chops throughout Ramadan.
I believe that allowances are made for people who may be ill, or are not strong enough to participate.
Me friend puts on about 15 pounds every year at Ramadan
Is he eating his Muslim friends’ dinners?
The purely Diabetic related issues are the length of time, in summer specifically, they have to fast and the particularly modern issue that many Muslims haven’t faced over the centuries is Diabetes.
They may be fasting centuries but Diabetes was not prevalent for most of those.
Couldn’t do it would faint from hunger
Its not like they dont eat at all… I think its just before sunrise and after sunset that they have a meal
Most have no food or water from sunset to sunrise, that includes abstaining from cigarettes (if you are a smoker) or chewing gum
But they have a feast the times they do eat and in a lot of countries with a big islamic population they are allowed half days work/school.
And realistically not a lot give up smoking (though they try to just hide it during Ramadan) and most would atleast have a bit of water to refresh their mouth so not to have bad breath. (Most people who fast would have some water).
If you know much about other fasting practises you’d know Ramadan isnt too bad … not to say it’s any easier etc. I know of religious people who fast by just having a slice or bread or a cup of tea in the morning and then break their fast around 5/7pm
Some people fasting during Ramadan put on loads of weight as they eat huge meals and banquets before sunrise and after sunset every day. Probably more difficult for the body to cope with.
Fasting can have health benifits for the human body, and Islamic people that i know will confirm this, and it is recommended at intervails by health specialists,during the month of Ramadan the fast is strickly during daylight hours and food can be eaten after midnight.
For a diabetic, I’d say that not eating, not drinking and not taking your medication for 18 hours is not the healthiest option.
What’s this fasting about anyway? Why do they fast for a month?
A lot of them lose weight in Saudi all year round, by choping off the odd hand or head.
Completely reversed my Diabetes Type 2 in 7 months … not difficult.
Wrote a short paper on it free on Kindle Prime.
“The Walnut Cure for Diabetes Type 2″
Shabbat begins at 9.36 PM today and ends at 11.17PM tomorrow.
have your say