Fasting and Diabetes don't go hand well together. With Karwa Chauth approaching, concerns about people fasting with diabetes are rising. Karwa Chauth, that is set to be celebrated on October 17 is one of India's most favourite festivals. Married women usually do not want to miss out on fasting for their husbands on this day. The rituals are very similar to what they portray excellently in Bollywood movies. The women(sometimes men too) fast for the long-life and well-being of their partners without water till the moon is seen that day.  Once the moon rises, the person can break their fast only after their partner feeds them their first morsel of food and the first sip of water. However, talking with the perspective of health, it is complicated to say how your body takes the whole day's starvation and then a sudden rush of food. Well, the health factor definitely gets ignored when it comes to Karwa Chauth fasting and the traditions related to the celebration, especially for people with diabetes. The blood glucose function can hamper your health big time during Karwa Chauth fasting.

Why Shouldn't Diabetics Fast During Karwa Chauth?

Fasting without food and water can deprive your body of vital nutrients and minerals. When you begin to fast, you feel extremely hungry initially and then later it makes you feel tired and weak. There are a lot of side-effects of not eating constantly for a long time. But if you have diabetes, there is a chance that your blood sugar crashes to dangerous levels of low (also known as hypoglycemia). Conditions are even worse if you are under insulin medications to control diabetes, That's especially true if you take medication like insulin to control your diabetes. Hypoglycemia can have dangerous consequences. Right from something as simple as shivers to slipping into a coma. Hypoglycemia can even turn fatal if not addresses immediately. The effects of hypoglycemia include passing out, shakiness, nausea, etc. Similarly, breaking your fast can cause you to develop too-high blood sugar levels, also known as hyperglycemia.

Fasting Tips For People With Diabetes

Do Not Fast Without Water: One of the reasons you cannot attempt the Karwa Chauth fast is that you are nor even allowed to drink water, and that may impact your health negatively.

Talk To Your Doctor: Experts suggest to avoid fasting if you have diabetes, but if you plan to fast regardless. You might want to work very closely with your doctor.

Signs of Hypoglycemia: If you feel shaky, weak, nauseated, sweaty or any other sign that you are low on blood sugar, you must break your fast immediately.

Breaking Your Fast: Remember, if at all you plan to fast be very careful and cautious about how you break your fast. Go for a light, healthy, non-oily snack.

The bottom line is that you must avoid fasting if you have low blood sugar levels, but if you desperately want to fast, you might want to do it with extreme caution, under expert guidance.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 16, 2019 07:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).