Doctors have urged diabetics observing Ramadan to be vigilant while fasting to maintain good health throughout the holy month.
Regulating blood sugar levels is a daily challenge for those with the condition, but there is need to be especially mindful when food is restricted during daylight hours to avoid a dangerous hypoglycaemic attack.
Severe hypoglycaemia — an abnormally low level of blood glucose — can lead to confusion or seizure. In some cases hospital treatment is required, so blood sugar levels should be checked regularly throughout fasting periods.
Typically, blood sugars dropping below 70 milligrams per decilitre can be harmful, and when it falls below 54 immediate action should be taken, doctors said.
“It is highly recommended for diabetic patients to have a physical check-up by their doctor prior to Ramadan to evaluate whether they are capable of fasting, or if it is risky,” said Dr Ghassan Aldadah, a consultant at Saudi German Hospital, Ajman.
“They should set up a clear, detailed healthy diet, focused on more vegetables and fluids while reducing cholesterol-rich food.”
Heavy sweating, extreme fatigue, rapid heart rate, severe thirst and dizziness are all precursors to a potential problem in need of immediate attention.
The UAE has some of the highest rates of diabetes in the region, with about 990,000 reported to have the condition by the International Diabetes Federation in 2021, with that number set to rise to almost 1.2 million by 2030.
Ramadan can be a busy time for health professionals as clinics respond to illness related to fasting and chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
Despite the potential pitfalls, doctors say fasting can be done safely.
“Those who have low risk and control their diabetes at baseline do not need to adjust their medication or change much before Ramadan,” said Dr Bashar Sahar, of Saudi German Hospital, Dubai.
“Anyone with diabetes should make sure they have a glucose meter and know how to use it.
“Their meal-timing and eating patterns will be different during Ramadan, so it is important to know what actions to take if they have high or low blood sugars during a fast.”
The human body enters a fasting state, usually eight hours after the last meal. It will initially use stored sources of glucose and as the fast develops, breaking down body fat to use as energy.
Tips for fasting safely
To stay healthy, doctors advised those with diabetes to add foods absorbed more slowly with a lower glycaemic index to enable them to fast safely and avoid complications.
Foods with a low GI include lentils, whole wheat bread, apples, oranges, carrots, peas — even strawberry jam and chocolate are absorbed more slowly than many other foods, although portion size remains critical to balance glucose levels.
If fasting and a glucose monitor shows a sharp rise in blood sugars, it is important to break the fast and drink sugar-free fluids to reduce dehydration and diabetic ketoacidosis, that would likely require hospital treatment.
Although fasting has proven health benefits such as weight loss, better blood sugar control, decreased inflammation and improved heart health, it is not always suitable, and not only for those managing a chronic health condition.
Children, pregnant women and people with certain illnesses are not advised to fast during Ramadan.
“If you are acutely unwell with an illness like influenza, a cold, gastroenteritis, or any condition that requires you to take medicine or fluids, it is encouraged you do not fast on those days,” said Dr Krithika Rani, a family doctor at the Burjuman Prime Medical Centre.
Pregnant women in particular have been advised to consult with their doctor before Ramadan to ensure that fasting is safe.
“Pregnancy can be physically and emotionally demanding so it is important to get enough rest and avoid strenuous physical activities,” said Dr Saba Khalid at the Prime Medical Centre.
“If you experience any discomfort or health issues during fasting, it is important to break the fast and seek medical attention.”
The Kites
Romain Gary
Penguin Modern Classics
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Croatia v Hungary, Thursday, 10.45pm, UAE
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
RESULTS - ELITE MEN
1. Henri Schoeman (RSA) 57:03
2. Mario Mola (ESP) 57:09
3. Vincent Luis (FRA) 57:25
4. Leo Bergere (FRA)57:34
5. Jacob Birtwhistle (AUS) 57:40
6. Joao Silva (POR) 57:45
7. Jonathan Brownlee (GBR) 57:56
8. Adrien Briffod (SUI) 57:57
9. Gustav Iden (NOR) 57:58
10. Richard Murray (RSA) 57:59
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WHY%20AAYAN%20IS%20'PERFECT%20EXAMPLE'
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The biog
Favourite book: Animal Farm by George Orwell
Favourite music: Classical
Hobbies: Reading and writing
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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SPECS
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More from Neighbourhood Watch:
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGrowdash%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJuly%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESean%20Trevaskis%20and%20Enver%20Sorkun%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%2C%20UAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERestaurant%20technology%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20so%20far%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24750%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFlat6Labs%2C%20Plus%20VC%2C%20Judah%20VC%2C%20TPN%20Investments%20and%20angel%20investors%2C%20including%20former%20Talabat%20chief%20executive%20Abdulhamid%20Alomar%2C%20and%20entrepreneur%20Zeid%20Husban%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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THE BIO
Occupation: Specialised chief medical laboratory technologist
Age: 78
Favourite destination: Always Al Ain “Dar Al Zain”
Hobbies: his work - “ the thing which I am most passionate for and which occupied all my time in the morning and evening from 1963 to 2019”
Other hobbies: football
Favorite football club: Al Ain Sports Club
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
