🌙 Embracing the Spirit of Ramadan—Safely

🩺 A Senior Endocrinologist’s Guide to Managing Diabetes

By: Dr. Lakshmi Dey, MD, DM (Endocrinology)

Ramadan is a sacred month of reflection, discipline, and devotion 🤲. For many people living with diabetes, the wish to observe the fast is deeply meaningful. As physicians, our foremost responsibility is to ensure that your spiritual journey does not compromise your health ❤️.

At Healthcare Scan Diagnostics, we believe that life and well-being are precious 🌿. Islamic teachings emphasize compassion and preservation of health, granting exemptions from fasting when illness poses a risk. With the right planning and medical guidance, many people with diabetes can observe Ramadan safely—while others should refrain for their own protection.

Below is a clear, practical guide to help you make informed decisions this Ramadan.

🗓️ 1. Pre-Ramadan Medical Consultation (6–8 Weeks Before)

A safe Ramadan begins well before the first fast 🌅. Anyone with diabetes who plans to fast should consult their doctor 6–8 weeks in advance.

During this visit, we conduct risk stratification using internationally accepted IDF–DAR guidelines:

✅ Low Risk

• Well-controlled diabetes

• On lifestyle measures or simple oral medications

⚠️ High / Very High Risk

• Type 1 diabetes

• Poorly controlled blood sugar

• Recent severe hypoglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

• Pregnancy

• Complications such as chronic kidney disease

👉 If you fall into the high-risk category, fasting is strongly discouraged, as it may lead to serious or life-threatening complications 🚨.

💊 2. Optimizing Your Medications

❌ Never change your medicines on your own during Ramadan.

Because meal timing and metabolism change during fasting:

• 🔄 Dose adjustments may be required

• ⚠️ Some drugs (e.g., long-acting sulfonylureas) may need to be stopped or replaced

• 💉 Premix insulin doses are often reduced significantly

⏰ Timing changes are crucial

• Medicines like metformin or DPP-4 inhibitors may continue

• Must be aligned with Sahari and Iftar

📌 Medication planning should always be personalized and supervised by your doctor.

🩸 3. The Golden Rule: Regular Blood Sugar Monitoring

A common myth is that checking blood sugar breaks the fast ❌ — this is not true.

✔️ Regular monitoring is essential to prevent emergencies.
Check your blood glucose:

• 📋 As per your doctor’s advice

• ⚠️ Whenever you feel unwell

💡 Monitoring saves lives—never skip it.

🍽️ 4. Nutrition Strategies for Sahari and Iftar

⏰ Never Skip Sahari

Skipping the pre-dawn meal is one of the most common and dangerous mistakes, often leading to mid-morning hypoglycemia ❄️.

🥣 Smart Sahari Choices

• 🌾 Complex carbohydrates: oats, dalia, multigrain roti

• 🍳 Protein and fiber: lentils, eggs, lean meats

✔️ Slow-digesting meals provide sustained energy
✔️ A balanced preparation with lentils and lean protein is ideal

🌅 Healthy Iftar Practices

• 🍯 Break the fast with 1–2 dates and water

• ❌ Avoid immediately overloading on fried or sugary foods

• 🐢 Eat slowly to prevent sugar spikes and indigestion

💧 Hydration Matters

• Drink plenty of water or sugar-free fluids between Iftar and Sahari

• 🚫 Avoid carbonated drinks and fruit juices

🚑 5. Know When to Break the Fast — Warning Signs

⚠️ Your health comes first. Break your fast immediately if:

• 🩸 Blood sugar falls below 70 mg/dL

• 📈 Blood sugar rises above 300 mg/dL

• 😰 Symptoms such as sweating, shaking, palpitations

• 😵 Dizziness, confusion, or extreme weakness

❗ Do not wait for Iftar if you feel unwell. Prompt treatment can prevent hospitalization and serious complications.

🌟 Final Thoughts

Fasting is an act of faith 🤍, but caring for your health is a responsibility. With advance planning, medical supervision, and sensible choices, many people with diabetes can experience a spiritually fulfilling and medically safe Ramadan.

For others, choosing not to fast is not a failure of faith—it is an act of wisdom and self-care 🌱.

✨ Wishing you and your family a blessed, peaceful, and healthy Ramadan.

📍 For personalized risk assessment and pre-Ramadan evaluation, visit Healthcare Scan Diagnostics.

▶️ Watch our full expert panel discussion on Diabetes and Ramadan to learn more. (Visit our You tube channel - Video also available in Hindi and Bangla)