100 July-August 2015 www.womanthismonth.com showcase Diabetic patients should take care if they are fasting during Ramadan as there are many risks. Dr Rabaa Mohamed Alhajeri, consultant family physician - diabetologist at Gulf Diabetes Specialist Center explains how to avoid the risk of: Hypoglycaemia: Patients on oral therapy (pancreatic sensitisers) drugs and on insulin injections are prone to develop hypoglycaemia, or low blood sugar, which can cause accidents, loss of consciousness and coma. Patients should consult a doctor to adjust the dosage of oral and insulin therapy which will help prevent hypoglycaemia attacks. Hyperglycaemia: High blood sugar, which can occur due to over eating after breaking the fast or from a reduced dosage of the patient’s oral or insulin therapy, as during Ramadan medication can be split in two (Fatoor and Suhoor). Dehydration: Due to reduced fluid intake, patients can become dehydrated, leading to a fast deterioration of diabetics with renal impairment or those with a history of kidney stones and urinary tract infections. “If a diabetic patient has signs of hypoglycaemia, he should break his fast by taking any sweetened drink, wait 15 minutes and measure the blood sugar level again to make sure it has risen,” says Dr Alhajeri. “All patients should understand that they must immediately end their fast if hypoglycaemia (blood glucose of <60 mg/dl [3.3 mmol/l]) occurs even minutes before sunset. “For patients with Type 2 diabetes who are well-controlled with lifestyle therapy alone, the risk associated with fasting is quite low. However, there is still a risk of postprandial hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar following a meal) if patients overindulge.” Pregnant women with pregestational or gestational diabetes (two forms of diabetes mellitus occurring during pregnancy) are at very high risk and are strongly advised not to fast during Ramadan. Call 17 239-239 for more information. After a long day of fast, the last thing anyone wants is to toil away in the kitchen preparing the day’s much-awaited meal. While you may still present the family favourites every evening, Alosra’s freshly– prepared mezzes from the To-Go range, will ease the burden to a great extent. These will complement your main dishes perfectly and can even be enjoyed as a light suhoor meal! “Mezzes make for perfect sides, but we wanted to provide customers with more than just your typical hummous and tabouleh. We have mixed it up and now customers can enjoy the classics with a special twist, such as tabouleh with pomegranate, moutabel with pomegranate and beetroot hummous,” says food development specialist, Sara Babar. “The To Go brand aims to provide people with new recipes to enjoy on the go. I am always on the lookout to mix different ingredients together that produce a flavourful and innovative end-result!” The packed and ready-toeat To-Go range is giving your neighbourhood restaurants a run for their money. Made from the freshest ingredients available in the market, these healthy preparations not only adhere to international standards of nutrition but they also provide a delicious break during a hectic day. This range boasts a wide selection that appeals to a variety of appetites and palates. From small portion salads, to light sandwiches, freshlyprepared sushi, wraps, pastas, biryani, fruits and mezze, there is a lot to choose from! Call 17 697-558 or visit www.alosraonline.com. Diabetes is a chronic disease and patients often have a list of medications. Some will experience diabetic complications they need to be aware of, such as blood sugar levels during Ramadan and how to avoid the risk of specific conditions which may lead to serious complications. The island’s fresh and friendly supermarket presents a hearty selection of Ramadan staples, saving you a lot of time in the kitchen. GULF DIABETES SPECIALIST CENTER DIABETES AND FASTING ALOSRA EXPRESS IFTAR Dr Rabaa Mohamed Alhajeri
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