March 7, 2016
Shivaratri Fast is considered to be the most important fast for the devotees of Lord Shiva. Shiva Purana goes on to say that if a devotee observes Shivaratri Vrata with sincerity, pure devotion and love he is blessed with the divine grace of Lord Shiva. Fasts are not meant to create undue hardship or create a life-threatening situation. All religions discourage people who are sick, pregnant, nursing a baby from fasting. Patients with diabetes fall under this category because their chronic metabolic disorder may place them at high-risk for various complications if the pattern and amount of their meal and fluid intake is markedly altered. Myth: Fasting helps to maintain normal blood glucose levels
Facts:
- Fasting can cause hypoglycemia in patients with uncontrolled type I and type II diabetes mellitus.
- On the other hand, depending on the individual, fasting without using insulin can result in high blood sugars or in diabetic ketoacidosis (a serious diabetes complication caused by blood build-up of acids called ketones).
- Dehydration is another fear if fluids are avoided during the fast. But diabetes patients can safely fast if one follows a balanced way of eating.
- If you decide to fast, take advise from your diabetologist. Make sure your blood glucose levels are at normal range to avoid further complications
- Kee