ISSN : 2663-2187

An Overview about Fasting and Diabetes in Ramadan

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Nashwa Abo Farrag Sadek Awad , Mohamed Hamdy Assy, Fawzy Abdelfattah El Messallamy, Arafa Mousa Abdel Salam El shabrawy
» doi: 10.48047/AFJBS.6.2.2024.2974-2983

Abstract

Background: All adult and teenage Muslims must fast throughout the holy month of Ramadan in accordance with one of Islam's five pillars. Muslims often eat two meals each day during the fasting month: suhur (before dawn) and iftar (after nightfall). It is critical for medical professionals to educate diabetic patients on safe fasting practices because individuals with diabetes may experience challenges when fasting. Muslim people with diabetes can fast during Ramadan with the right information, preparation, and adjustments to their medications, despite the fact that prolonged stringent fasting increases the risk of hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis. Up until May 2023, this review's literature search was carried out utilizing PubMed and Google Scholar. Only articles written in English were considered. Current methods for controlling blood sugar levels during Ramadan involve a mix of dietary advice for patients, frequent glucose monitoring, medication, and insulin treatment. Patients' demands should be taken into account while adjusting insulin therapy during fasting, and regular assessments of finger prick blood sugar levels should be performed. Breaking the fast is necessary in case specific symptoms like low or high blood sugar, dehydration, or acute illness manifest, or if blood glucose levels rise to more than 300 mg/dL or fall below 70 mg/dL values. Medications like tirzepatide, which is a dual agonist of gastric-inhibitory peptide and glucagonlike-peptide 1 receptors, and new insulin formulations like pegylated insulin have demonstrated promise in controlling blood sugar levels throughout Ramadan. In addition to insulin-dependent drugs, individuals with type 2 diabetes are also benefiting from the added cardiovascular effects of sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors, such as the FDA-approved ertugliflozin..

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