The June 4 end of Ramadan is right around the corner, but it’s still worthwhile to take a look at a StarTribune story on health considerations for Muslims who adhere to the month-long period of fasting.

In the article, Minnesota medical providers work with patients to balance health with fasting during Ramadan, local providers explore their efforts to treat patients for chronic disease such as diabetes and manage medications during a time when followers of Islam fast during the daylight hours.

The flip side of daytime fasting is the tradition of breaking the fast with a heavy, and frequently high-fat, evening meal, according to Dr. Douglas Pryce, who has treated Somali-Americans at a Hennepin Healthcare clinic since 1995.

An additional concern addressed in this story: Somali providers whose energy wanes during a day of going without food or water.