The charity Diabetes UK is providing support and advice for people in the Muslim community who live with diabetes, to help them stay healthy during Ramadan. 

This year, Ramadan will run for 29 or 30 days from on or around 22 March, ending with Eid al-Fitr, a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide. The Qur'an requires Muslims to fast during the month of Ramadan from sunrise to sunset, but there are exceptions and people who are unwell or have medical conditions are not expected to fast. This includes people with diabetes. 

 

Diabetes UK are encouraging anyone living with diabetes and preparing for Ramadan to speak to their diabetes team and their Imam to help them to decide how best to observe the holy month and manage their diabetes safely.

Douglas Twenefour, Head of Care at Diabetes UK, said: “Choosing whether to fast is a personal choice. However, getting information and advice ahead of Ramadan can help you decide whether it is right and safe for you to do so.

“That is because if you have diabetes, fasting can risk aggravating complications associated with the condition, such as poor vision, heart or kidney disease and hypoglycaemia as well as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) – a condition that can require emergency hospital treatment.”  

·         Some people with diabetes choose to fast and Diabetes UK offers the following advice for those who do:

·         If you are unwell or have any symptoms of Covid-19, do not fast and call 111 for further advice.

·         If you do choose to fast, before you start, include more slowly absorbed foods, such as basmati rice and dhal, in your meal along with fruit and vegetables.

·         During your fast, if you already check your blood sugar levels, do this more often than usual.

·         When you break the fast, have only small quantities of food, and avoid only eating sweet or fatty foods.

Mr Twenefour added: “If you are fasting and you feel unwell or that you are having a hypo, check your blood sugars and, if you are, break your fast and take your usual hypo treatment followed by starchy food.

“If you’re showing any symptoms of Covid-19 or feeling unwell, our advice would be to not fast. It’s also important to know that taking diabetes medication, testing your blood glucose levels or getting a coronavirus vaccination will not break your fast.”

For more information on diabetes and Ramadan visit: www.diabetes.org.uk/ramadan. For further media information please contact Catarina Walsh, Communications Manager, Diabetes UK Midlands and East

 

Notes to editors:

1. Diabetes UK’s aim is creating a world where diabetes can do no harm. Diabetes is the most devastating and fastest growing health crisis of our time, affecting more people than any other serious health condition in the UK - more than dementia and cancer combined. There is currently no known cure for any type of diabetes. With the right treatment, knowledge and support people living with diabetes can lead a long, full and healthy life. For more information about diabetes and the charity’s work, visit www.diabetes.org.uk

2. Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose in the blood because the body cannot use it properly. If not managed well, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can lead to devastating complications. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of preventable sight loss in people of working age in the UK and is a major cause of lower limb amputation, kidney failure and stroke.

3. People with type 1 diabetes cannot produce insulin. About 8 per cent of people with diabetes have type 1. No one knows exactly what causes it, but it’s not to do with being overweight and it isn’t currently preventable. It’s the most common type of diabetes in children and young adults, starting suddenly and getting worse quickly. Type 1 diabetes is treated by daily insulin doses – taken either by injections or via an insulin pump. It is also recommended to follow a healthy diet and take regular physical activity.

4. People with type 2 diabetes don’t produce enoug insulin or the insulin they produce doesn’t work properly (known as insulin resistance). Around 90 per cent of people with diabetes have type 2. They might get type 2 diabetes because of their family history, age and ethnic background puts them at increased risk. They are also more likely to get type 2 diabetes if they are overweight. It starts gradually, usually later in life, and it can be years before they realise they have it. Type 2 diabetes is treated with a healthy diet and increased physical activity. In addition, tablets and/or insulin can be required.

5. About 2 per cent of people have other types of diabetes. Other types include 11 different forms of monogenic diabetes, cystic fibrosis related diabetes and diabetes caused by rare syndromes. Certain medication such as steroids and antipsychotics, surgery or hormonal imbalances could also lead to other types of diabetes. For more information on reporting on diabetes, download our journalists’ guide: Diabetes in the News: A guide to reporting diabetes news_Diabetes UK_2018_1127.pdf