Ramadan is the month which signifies self-reform and abstention from one’s basic desires which in particular helps to understand ourselves in terms of patience, tolerance and our threshold levels from the worldly desires.
The commonest and the chronic illnesses which afflict our societies are Diabetes mellitus and Cardiovascular diseases.
There has been lots of speculation whether or not diabetics and cardiovascular patients take the plunge of fasting during Ramadan and the concern is worldwide regarding it.
Our blessed prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Fast to be healthy.”
All three fathers of Western Medicine; Hippocrates, Galen and Paracelsus, concluded nearly 500 years ago that: “Fasting is the greatest remedy–the physician within!”
Health predicament of a person is very vital before deciding to fast; patients are advised to have a pre-Ramadan medical assessment to help them avoid any unneeded health difficulties during the Holy month.
Can Patients Fast?
During Ramadan, timings and dosages of diabetics’ drugs are changed due to the long hours of fasting and it is advisable that of the total dose in a day, 1/3rd of the dose is to be taken during the pre-dawn meals followed by 2/3rd of the dose after the sunset meals to avoid the risk of hypoglycaemia.
Insulin regimen: two doses before meals (sunset and dawn) of short-acting insulin and one dose in the late evening of intermediate-acting insulin.
Patients of cardiovascular diseases are basically on antihypertensives, medicines for lipids, and antianginals.
Patients with mild to moderate hypertension can safely undertake fasting with their daily dose taken during the predawn meals, whereas patients with severe hypertension are at risk of developing associated cardiovascular diseases.
Diuretics should be avoided as it can lead to hypotension. Patients can safely continue their medicines for lipids and blood thinners if they use any after their sunset meal.
Heart patients should have balanced and commensurate diet as one needs to go on the wagon!
They should try to curb their desires for food rich in oil, fats, salty, sugary food product and keep an eye over their food intake limiting themselves between six and ten grams of carbohydrates and 1.2g of proteins per kg body weight respectively.
It is advisable to keep themselves hydrated with decaffeinated and sugar-free liquids especially during their long hours of prayers after their sunset meals.
They should involve lots of green vegetables and salads except raw onions, green peas, potatoes, carrots and beetroot as they can shoot up ones glucose levels.
Fruits like papaya, apples, sweet limes and oranges are permitted. Food with low glycaemix index like oatmeal, whole wheat, barley, corns, legumes and lentils should be preferred. Grilling should always be preferred over deep frying.
What About Exercising?
Type 1 diabetics shouldn’t exercise at all as it upsets their glucose levels profoundly and therefore are preferred to offer prayers sitting on the chair, whereas type 2 diabetics and hypertensive patients can have their practices with focus on aerobics and strength training after iftar.
“It’s time to press the buzzer”, during Ramadan diabetic and cardiovascular patients have increased chances of complications which could be disastrous, hence, one needs to be alarmed as complications like hypoglycaemia , hyperglycaemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, dehydration, volume depletion, hypotension and thrombosis may occur.
Patients during fasting need to check their blood sugar and blood pressure frequently especially if they feel very thirsty, have excessive urination, giddiness, perspiration and extreme tiredness.
They should break the fast immediately if blood glucose goes below 70 milligram% (mgm%) or exceeds 300 milligram%.
The same quick action must be taken if the blood pressure goes below 100/60 millimetre of mercury (mm of Hg) or in case of having any feel of chest discomfort or breathlessness.
Exemption from Fasting
Fasting cannot be taken by people with Type 1 diabetes, which is characterized by the total absence of insulin and hence could be deleterious.
Similarly, patients with Essential Hypertension should also avoid fasting as they can land up with major problem unless they have practiced the changes in their dosages and timings prior to Ramadan and were comfortable with it.
A mere gastritis could lead or mislead us to myocardial infarction (heart attack), so patients on medicines of dyslipidemia and past history of myocardial infarction should exempt themselves from fasting.
If someone who is ill fasts in spite of his illness and bears the burden of fasting patiently, his fasting is valid although his action isn’t commendable because he has turned his back on a concession Allah has granted him.
Moreover, he may injure himself by his action while in fact Islam gives the priority to human wellbeing.
The Holy Qur’an states: “Truly it is in the remembrance of Allah that the hearts find peace.”(Surat Ar-Ra’d 13:28). And Allah Almighty also says: “Do not kill yourselves. Allah is compassionate to you.” (Surat An-Nisa’ 4:29).
Furthermore, Allah and His Messenger informed us in the Qur’an and Sunnah respectively about the regulations which Islam has established for sick people who cannot fast.
There is a wide range of Islamic regulations for any believer who is medically unfit to fast.
This article is from Science’s archive and we’ve originally published it on an earlier date.
References:
- Exercising during Ramadan. June 17, 2015. Health 24.com.
- Exemption from Fasting. Adil Salahi. Al-Jazeerah. November 9, 2004.
- Fasting is Your Health Solution. Fasting Center International.
- Population-Based Study of Diabetes and Its Characteristics During the Fasting Month Of Ramadan. DiabetesJournals.org. October 2004.