Staying healthy during cultural and religious events

Communities across the ACT celebrate a range of cultural and religious events. Some events involve changes to when and what you eat which may affect your health, especially if you have health conditions. If you have diabetes, it is important to be aware of these changes to when and what you eat to help you manage your condition.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body doesn’t produce or properly use insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas that transforms glucose from food into energy. This leads to raised blood glucose levels which can cause serious health problems over time.

Fasting with diabetes

People with diabetes may respond differently to fasting. This depends on the type of diabetes a person has and how it is managed.

The most common issues from fasting are:

• low blood glucose levels (this is called hypoglycaemia)
• high blood glucose levels (this is called hyperglycaemia)
• dangerous chemicals in the blood when the body burns fat for energy instead of glucose (this is called diabetic ketoacidosis)
• dehydration from not drinking enough water
• complications relating to fasting and diabetes medications.

Diabetes services and information

For more information about:

• health services for people with diabetes, go to Canberra Health Services
• diabetes and fasting, go to Diabetes Australia
• diabetes and links to resources, go to Healthdirect
• resources for general practitioners (GPs), go to Australian Diabetes Society.

Ramadan

Before Ramadan

Before Ramadan begins, talk to your health care providers about your fasting practices during Ramadan. Ask your health care providers if there are any changes that need to be made if you plan to fast. Your health care providers can provide you with information and advice about any changes you need to make.

Staying healthy during Ramadan

People with diabetes may have different physical responses to fasting during the day and eating a large meal at night, depending on the type of diabetes and how it is usually managed. Talk to your health care providers if you have any concerns about your health when fasting during Ramadan.

Reducing complications during Ramadan

Some people with diabetes can reduce their risk of complications during Ramadan by making small changes to their usual practices. Talk to your health care providers about what is right for you.

Yom Kippur

Before Yom Kippur

Before Yom Kippur begins, talk to your health care providers about your usual fasting practices. Ask your health care providers if there are any changes that need to be made if you plan to fast. If you do fast, you may need to change how you manage your diabetes. Your health care providers can provide you with information and advice about any changes you need to make.

Staying healthy during Yom Kippur

While certain groups of people are not expected to fast during Yom Kippur some people with ongoing health conditions may still choose to fast on Yom Kippur. Talk to your health care providers if you have any concerns about your health when fasting during Yom Kippur.

Reducing complications during Yom Kippur

Fasting may affect the management of some health conditions, including diabetes. Some people with diabetes can reduce their risk of problems during Yom Kippur by making small changes to their usual practices. Talk to your health care providers about what is right for you.

Diwali

Before Diwali

Diwali is a time for celebrating with family and eating traditional foods. However, these festive foods may cause problems for people with diabetes. Before Diwali begins, speak to your usual health care providers about your plans. Your health care providers can provide you with information and advice about any changes you need to make to manage your diabetes.

Staying healthy during Diwali

People with diabetes may have different physical responses to eating festive foods. Talk to your health care providers if you have any concerns about your health when celebrating Diwali. It is important to keep blood glucose levels in a normal range to stay healthy during Diwali and beyond.

Reducing complications during Diwali

Some people with diabetes can reduce their risk of complications during Diwali by making small changes to their usual practices. Talk to your health care providers about what is right for you.

Staying safe from burns

Fireworks and crackers are not available in the ACT without a permit.

It is important to be careful around candles, sparklers and other flames, especially with small children.

If you are concerned about a burn, contact your general practitioner (GP) or call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

For serious burns, call triple zero 000 for an ambulance or go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital.

If you feel unwell during fasting or festivities

Call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222. This is a free helpline available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The helpline connects you to registered nurses who can provide you with health advice.

Contact your general practitioner (GP).

For a life threatening or serious illness or injury call triple zero 000 for an ambulance or go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital.