Diabetes Sufferers Want to Fast Ramadan? Here are the Safe Conditions According to Doctors

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by high blood sugar levels due to disorders in the production or work of the hormone insulin.

When entering the month of Ramadan, many diabetics wonder if they can still fast safely. Changes in meal schedules, medication times, and activity patterns can indeed affect blood sugar stability, so careful planning is needed before performing the ritual.

Internal disease specialist Pugud Samodro emphasized that people with diabetes can still fast as long as their health conditions are controlled and under medical supervision.

"The most important thing for people with diabetes is to evaluate their health condition before Ramadan, adjust the schedule and dose of medication, and continue to monitor blood sugar during fasting so that the risk can be prevented early," he said in Purwokerto, Banyumas Regency, Central Java.

The lecturer of Internal Medicine at Jenderal Soedirman University explained that changes in eating patterns and schedules for taking medication during Ramadan need to be seriously considered. Diabetes management itself includes regulating food intake, physical activity, regular blood sugar monitoring, and compliance in using medication or insulin.

During fasting, the body will use the glucose reserves in the liver as an energy source, then switch to burning fat. In individuals without metabolic disorders, this process generally takes place stably. However, for people with diabetes, these changes can trigger extreme spikes and drops in blood sugar.

In general, diabetic patients are allowed to fast if their blood sugar levels are controlled, do not often experience hypoglycemia, do not have severe complications, discipline in taking medication, and regularly check blood sugar. On the other hand, fasting is not recommended for those whose blood sugar levels are very unstable, often experience severe hypoglycemia, suffer from advanced kidney disease, severe heart disorders, have just had a stroke, or have diabetes while pregnant.

Pugud suggested that patients consult a doctor at least one to two months before Ramadan to evaluate their health conditions and adjust their therapy.

In terms of diet, sahur should not be missed because it plays an important role in maintaining blood sugar stability throughout the day. The sahur menu should contain complex carbohydrates, protein, vegetables, and healthy fats in balanced amounts, and limit high-sugar and fried foods.

When breaking the fast, he suggested starting with water and dates in reasonable amounts, then eating gradually by increasing vegetables and protein, and avoiding excessive sweet drinks. The minimum fluid requirement of eight glasses per day must still be met from breaking the fast to dawn, by limiting excessive consumption of coffee and tea.

"Diabetes medication must still be consumed according to the doctor's recommendations with adjustments to the time of drinking, and self-monitoring of blood sugar does not cancel fasting," said Pugud.

Light physical activity such as walking after breaking the fast or after tarawih is recommended to help the body's metabolism. On the other hand, heavy exercise during the day should be avoided because it risks triggering hypoglycemia.

He also reminded that fasting should be immediately canceled if there are signs of danger such as severe weakness, severe dizziness, shaking, cold sweat, or if the results of the examination show blood sugar below 70 mg/dL or above 300 mg/dL.

According to Pugud, if carried out with proper planning, fasting can actually provide benefits for people with diabetes, such as helping to control body weight, increasing insulin sensitivity, and improving body metabolism. Family support is also an important factor in maintaining patient compliance with treatment patterns during Ramadan.