Our bodies start to consume the stored energy after 8 hours of our last meal in order to keep the blood glucose (sugar) level normal. For most people, this is natural and harmless, however, according to Dr. Ali Sultan, Consultant of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Diabetes Center at the International Medical Center in Jeddah, diabetic patients’ bodies are unfortunately at the risk of low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) because the body is unable to consume glucose; especially if it is in the form of tablets or insulin.
The risk of getting low blood level increases in hot summer days, in addition to that overeating in both Iftar (breakfast) and Suhur (meal consumed early before fasting start) can put diabetic patient at the risk of a significant and sudden increase in blood sugar levels, and with the scorching heat, the body water decreases and the possibility of dehydration rises.
Dr. Ali added that, in terms of fasting problems; diabetic patients are divided into three categories; those who are exposed to high, medium or low risk. If you are of the latter category, those who manage their disease well by controlling food or taking tablets intake without any complications of diabetes; you will be able to fast.
Patients who use insulin injections on daily basis or often exposed to variation in blood sugar levels, or those who have kidney, liver, heart problems, severe diseases such as diabetic foot infection or foot ulcers, or if the patient is pregnant; are not allowed to fast without the consent of the treating diabetes doctor.
Dr. Ali strongly recommends diabetes patients who decided to fast, to measure their blood sugar level during the day in order to know the effect of fasting on them, and also to contact their doctors immediately if they notice a severe drop in blood sugar levels or even the presence of symptoms of body functions disorder.
Symptoms of mild drop in blood sugar level are: sweating (even though the surrounding weather is moderate), feeling dizzy or anxious and discomfort, tremors, chills, feeling hungry, twitching lips, pale color, palpitations and heart racing.
Eventually, Dr. Ali warns patients with severe conditions not to make the decision to fast without the consent of the doctor, as blood sugar levels rises with the increase in weather temperature due to lack of body water and dehydration, which may lead to nerves, blood vessels and body organs damage.
The risk of getting low blood level increases in hot summer days, in addition to that overeating in both Iftar (breakfast) and Suhur (meal consumed early before fasting start) can put diabetic patient at the risk of a significant and sudden increase in blood sugar levels, and with the scorching heat, the body water decreases and the possibility of dehydration rises.
Dr. Ali added that, in terms of fasting problems; diabetic patients are divided into three categories; those who are exposed to high, medium or low risk. If you are of the latter category, those who manage their disease well by controlling food or taking tablets intake without any complications of diabetes; you will be able to fast.
Patients who use insulin injections on daily basis or often exposed to variation in blood sugar levels, or those who have kidney, liver, heart problems, severe diseases such as diabetic foot infection or foot ulcers, or if the patient is pregnant; are not allowed to fast without the consent of the treating diabetes doctor.
Dr. Ali strongly recommends diabetes patients who decided to fast, to measure their blood sugar level during the day in order to know the effect of fasting on them, and also to contact their doctors immediately if they notice a severe drop in blood sugar levels or even the presence of symptoms of body functions disorder.
Symptoms of mild drop in blood sugar level are: sweating (even though the surrounding weather is moderate), feeling dizzy or anxious and discomfort, tremors, chills, feeling hungry, twitching lips, pale color, palpitations and heart racing.
Eventually, Dr. Ali warns patients with severe conditions not to make the decision to fast without the consent of the doctor, as blood sugar levels rises with the increase in weather temperature due to lack of body water and dehydration, which may lead to nerves, blood vessels and body organs damage.
