UNDERSTANDING GLUCOSE PHYSIOLOGY DURING RAMADAN FASTING IN DIABETES MELLITUS

In the last decade, there is a huge trend for fasting of any kind all around the world owing to the health benefits such as weight loss.Although there is exemption from fasting due to sickness according to islamic regulations, many people with diabetes mellitus (DM) fast Ramadan at least equal or more than 15 days of the holy month.Hypoglycaemia (hypo; low blood glucose), hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose), dehydration and thrombosis formation as well as diabetic ketoacidosis and diabetic hyperosmolar non-ketotic state or coma are fearful consequences of fasting.Meanwhile, latest observations revealed better metabolic parameters who were provided DM and Ramadan related education at pre-Ramadan period (6-8 weeks before fasting) with an update in diet, exercise schedules and medications as a respect to Suhoor (early morning meal/breakfast, before dawn) and to iftaar (evening meal at sunset).