As the community of Muslim faithful across the country steps into the month of Ramadan, not a few adherents have come up with the question of whether it is safe for diabetics to participate in fasting.
This is because a strong belief that diabetic patients should not fast has persisted for years, creating fears and confusion.
TodayPriceNG reports that while a school of thought insists that fasting could be deadly for diabetics, others claim it can be managed with the right precautions.
A Consultant Endocrinologist at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Ayuba Mogana, in an exclusive interview with TodayPriceNG, clarifies that diabetes does not automatically disqualify a person from fasting.
He warns that fasting is not a one-size-fits-all decision for diabetics.
According to him, each patient must be evaluated individually, as fasting can be completely safe for some but life-threatening to others.
Morgana noted that “Diabetic patients fall into three categories: those who can fast without complications, those who can fast but require close medical supervision, and those for whom fasting is strictly prohibited due to severe health risks.
“While some diabetics experience better sugar control during Ramadan, others develop serious complications.”
He highlighted specific conditions that make fasting extremely dangerous, including, “Severe kidney disease, heart problems, peptic ulcers, and an inability to recognize low blood sugar levels.
“For those satisfied to fast, strict medical guidelines must be followed to prevent complications.
“To maintain stable sugar levels, diabetics should eat three moderate meals at suhoor, iftar, and later at night.
“Overeating after fasting can lead to dangerous sugar spikes, increasing the risk of stroke and other complications.”
Morgana stressed that signs of dangerously low sugar include shaking, sweating, and a racing heartbeat, while extreme thirst and frequent urination signal high sugar levels.
Therefore, he warned that whoever feels like fainting or experiences severe dehydration should break the fast immediately.
Our correspondent corroborated the don’s claim with another Islamic cleric at the Department of Islamic Studies, Federal University Kashere, Dr. Hamza Abubakar
who equally noted that diabetics can fast, but only under proper medical supervision.
“The key to a safe fasting experience lies in consultation, preparation, and strict adherence to medical guidelines,” …. advised.
He added, “For diabetics, fasting is not just about faith. It is about informed choices that could mean the difference between health and harm.”
