CHENNAI: Fasting by people who suffer from lifestyle disease diabetes is turning a matter of concern. Many are pondering over how they can ensure a balance between fasting and the disease. To avoid health repercussions for those who choose to fast, leading diabetologists in the city give expert advice.
Leading diabetologist A. Ramachandran says consult a doctor to check glucose status along with other complications and other co-morbid conditions which could be aggravated by prolonged fasting, particularly chronic kidney disease, hepatic failure, severe cardiac problems-unstable angina, heart failure. Also the diet and meal plan needed in line with individual calorie requirement to avoid dehydration.
“Those with mild diabetes and on small doses of oral medicine have to modify the timings of their medication. Those on metformin are comparatively safer as sugar levels will not go down. It is ideal to take tablets after breaking the fast for those who are consuming more powerful tablets like Sulphanyle”, says Dr. Mohan, noted diabetologist. Those who are on insulin twice a day, suppose morning 10mg and evening 10 mg, it is ideal to take 20 mg in the evening. Also, it is important to monitor sugar levels regularly especially after breaking fast”, he said.
S.Ramkumar, consultant diabetologist at Apollo Hospitals, says, heavy exercises should be avoided. “Break your fast in case of recurrent low sugar (70mg) or uncontrolled high sugar (300mg) or worsening of other related medical conditions. Pregnant women with diabetes are stratified as very high risk with a high probability of harm and are advised not to fast”, he added.
Also, diabetics should avoid eating large quantities of dates, mango, banana, and sapota to break their fast at Iftar. They are advised to have small portions of apple, orange and guava.
On the issue of Ramzan fasting, Dr M Satheedhudeen Baqvi, 44, Chief Imam of the Adyar Masjid and principal, Al-Hudha Arabic College, says, “I am a diabetic and I am observing fast after consulting my doctors. Quran allows exemption from fasting for those suffering from non-curable diseases but does not mention the names of any diseases. Those not fasting because of their non-curable diseases must make amends by giving out alms to the poor”.
New drug to fight diabetic risks reaches Chennai
A new oral drug named Empagliflozinn will help reduce the risk of cardiovascular deaths and heart failures significantly among people with high-risk type 2 diabetics.
Talking to Deccan Chronicle here, city’s eminent endocrinologist Dr A. Ramachandran said Empa-Reg, a global study presented recently at American Diabetes Association (ADA), had suggested that the drug helps reduce the risk for new-onset or worsening kidney disease by 39 per cent in people with type 2 diabetes with established cardiovascular disease (CVD).
The oral medicine, current available in Chennai, would help patients to effectively address the threat with a new standard of care. The medicine is integral to effective diabetes management, said Dr Ramachandran, who is also founder of Dr A. Ramachandran’s Diabetes Hospital.
As per the results of the trial conducted across the world, Empagliflozin reduces the risk of cardiovascular death by 38 per cent and hospitalization for heart failure by 35 per cent in people with high risk type 2 diabetes, he said.
Diabetes is known to be the major reason for people requiring dialysis and renal transplants. Dr Ramachandran said the trial was based on more than 7,000 patients from 42 countries, of which 163 patients with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease were from India.
