Dear Doctors, As Ramadan begins this week, patients with diabetes who wish to fast during the holy month should be educated about how to adjust their medications and be prepared to break the fast when absolutely necessary. During the lunar-based month of Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, or using oral medications from predawn to sunset. Followers will typically eat just after sunset and again before dawn. Common challenges include increases in the risk for both hypoglycemia from lack of food and hyperglycemia resulting from cutting back too far on medication in attempts to avoid hypoglycemia.
Hyperglycemia can also occur if patients overeat during the non fasting interval. Last February the IDF team has launched the new D-NET, the online network for health professionals engaged in diabetes care. An academic discussion regarding the subject: "Diabetes &…
