How to Manage Your Diabetes during Ramadan

During Ramadan month, all Muslims around the world must fast from dawn to sunset. They are only allowed to take food during night time and observe fasting during the day. In a healthy person, fasting would not pose any problems. However, in patients with diabetes (type 1 and type 2) fasting during the Ramadan month may risk them succumbing to complications if they do not take precautions.

"The large proportion of both type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients who fast during Ramadan represents a challenge to physicians to provide more intensive education before fasting and emphasizes the need for closer monitoring of blood glucose during fasting." - (EPIDIAR) study

Studies also show that there is a shift in meal time, pattern of meals, type of food eaten and total caloric intake during Ramadan month.

"Medical advice is sometimes ignored for religious reasons. Occasionally a devoted Muslim will say, 'Allah will protect me'. He or she may not fear death or may even want to die so as to meet the Creator. Counsel the patient by saying 'to see the doctor and comply with treatment is Prophet Mohammad's sunnat (precedent)'. To refuse would be a sin." - JRSM (Journal of Royal Society of Medicine)

It is important to inform Muslim patients that it is not a sin to skip the fast if they are found to have medical problems. Most of the doctors would advise patients to avoid fasting if they have medical conditions such as acute peptic ulcer, pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchial asthma, cancer, diabetes Type 1 and Type 2, who have poor glycemic control (HbA1c >12%), non-compliance with diet or drug/oral regimes, four or more episodes of hypoglycemia and/or hyperglycemia during preceding month, on 2 and more insulin injection per day, urinary calculi, cardiovascular disease, psychiatry, liver disorder, hepatic dysfunction where liver enzyme is more than twice the upper normal limit or pregnancy.

Risks associated with patients suffering from diabetes include hypoglycemia, which includes symptoms such as shaking, tremor, sweating, anxious, dizziness, hunger, fast heartbeat or palpitation, impaired vision, fatigue or weakness, headache, poor concentration and irritability.

Patients with diabetes should always discuss with their medical doctors prior to making the decision to fast during Ramadan month. In fact, they should be given pre-fasting assessment and counseling along with intensive education on the complications of diabetes.

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A few Tips to Avoid Bad Breath During Ramadan and other Fasting Times

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is a very sacred time for Muslims, and to honor Allah, it is a time for fasting. During the entire month, Muslims will eat no food and drink no water during the day time, and then in the evening, they will have a small meal while they are conversing with friends and family called Sehri. Although this is a very sacred time for most Muslims, a common complaint during fasting is bad breath or halitosis.

Fasting and bad breath during Ramadan may come hand in hand, and a lot of this has to do with the dryness of the mouth during the fast. This is not unexpected. With no food and water, your salivary glands are not producing enough saliva to keep your breath fresh. Naturally, this results in bad breath.

There are many ways to deal with fasting and bad breath during Ramadan without crossing any line.
First of all, the main thing you need to do is to continue to brush your teeth normally. Just be absolutely sure that you don't swallow anything. Even if you're not eating during the day, you should still brush your teeth when you wake up like you always would. You then want to brush them after eating at Sehri. Some Muslims recommend using a Miswak or 'tooth stick' to keep the mouth fresh and clean during Ramadan.

There are other things that you can do as well. Often, having a dry mouth can cause bad breath. During Sehri, if you drink 2 to 3 glasses of water, it should help with this. Drinking plenty of water will help keep your mouth from drying out, and causing bad breath. It may also help keep you hydrated during the next day. You should also remember to floss between your teeth as part of your normal dental hygiene routine. Mouthwash is acceptable for Ramadan as well, since you're not actually swallowing anything. However, you should stay away from alcohol based mouthwashes since they can dry the mouth out more and make the problem worse.

To summarize, remember to brush your teeth normally during Ramadan, floss, use mouthwash or a Miswak, and remember to drink plenty of water. Following these tips will help you avoid bad breath during Ramadan or other fasting times.

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Top 10 Health Benefits of Dates

Dates (Khajoor) can provide many health benefits. Dates are rich in iron and fluoride. Dates are rich in vitamins and minerals. Consumption of regular dates (khajoor)help to reduce cholesterol and prevent many health problems. To learn more about the benefits of the consumption of dates.



Benefits of Eating Dates (Khajoor):
1- Dates are rich source of protein, nutritional fiber and rich in vitamin B1, B2, B3 and B5 along with vitamin A1 and C.

2- Dates are free from cholesterol and contain very low fat. Dates are rich in vitamins and minerals.

3- It helps to improve the digestive system as it contains different kinds of amino acids and soluble and insoluble fibers.

4- Dates are rich in iron and are very useful in the treatment of anemia. Patients can eat a lot of dates for better advantages. Date have fluorine and slows down the tooth decay.

5- Dates are rich in potassium and low in sodium. It helps to regulate the health of the nervous system. The research that potassium intake is to some extent reduced the risk of stroke. Dates also help to reduce levels of LDL cholesterol.

6- Dates are great amps of energy because they contain natural sugars such as sucrose, glucose and fructose. For more benefits add dates to milk and make a very nutritious snacks. Dates are very low in calories and are ideal for those health conscious.

7- It helps people suffering from constipation. Soak dates overnight and take it along with water to have added advantage.

8- It helps to increase sexual stamina. Soak few dates in goats milk at night. In the morning grind with milk and honey and cardamom powder and then drink.

9- Dates help in weight gain and are beneficial for those who suffer from over slimming problem.

10- Dates are excellent for alcoholic intoxication.

Dates are also Remedies for stomach cancer. The best thing is that there is no negative effect on the body and is completely natural and works like a medicine. It also helps to improve vision and help cure blindness.

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