By Fazeena Saleem
Muslims today begin fasting at the start of Ramadan, the holiest month in Islam. It is a time of spiritual reflection when the faithful are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam.
However, emergency cases at hospitals increase, at least in the first few days of Ramadan, mainly due to gastric problems and wrong eating habits. It is important to have correct food habits, take plenty of liquids to beat the heat, and seek a doctor’s advice for any health problems.
Fasting has health benefits, but if the right foods are not consumed after the fast, it can have negative consequences. To get the best physical and spiritual results from fasting, it is important to have a simple, balanced diet. Balanced food and fluids are important during Ramadan, says an expert.
“It is very important for people who fast to take less salt and sugar in and between iftar and suhour meals,” said Dr Saad Abdulfattah Al Nuaimi, senior consultant at the Emergency Department of HMC.
“They should also take more food like beans, which contains fibre,” he added.
At least 225 people reported to the Emergency Department of HMC for treatment on the first day of Ramadan last year. Of them, 103 complained of an upset stomach while 25 reported problems like inflammation of the intestines.
In 2011, the Emergency Department had received more than 7,700 cases during the first week of Ramadan. The majority of these were fasting-related ailments which occurred after iftar.
The iftar meal taken after a 14-hour-long fast should be a balanced one that the body can easily accept, according to Dr Nuaimi.
Water replenishes the body’s fluid content, and dates contain potassium and magnesium, some of the minerals lost when the body becomes dehydrated, as well as tannin and fibre to counter gastric problems, and sugar to restore the blood sugar level to normal.
Fresh fruits, juice or vegetables should be followed with cereal or milk for the body to get proteins and energy. Cooked or warm food is advised to be taken only after some time.
Plenty of seasonal fruits which contain about 95 percent water, and dates are recommended during Ramadan.
The timing of the meals also matters. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) urged the faithful to have suhour if they intended to do obligatory or voluntary fasting. Urging Muslims to have suhour, he said, “Have suhour, as indeed there is a blessing in it.” [Al Bukhaari and Muslim].
Having suhour early, a few hours before dawn, is not correct. The Prophet said, “Hasten to (eat) iftar and delay (eating) suhour.” [At Tabaraani]. It is ‘sunnah’ to have suhour just before dawn (approximately half an hour before it.
While observing the fast this time of the year, it’s important to take precautions against high humidity and temperatures, and health experts counsel avoiding heat exhaustion.
“People shouldn’t expose themselves to heat, and drink plenty of water when they are not fasting. If they have to go out, they should have a cover,” said Dr Ahmad M Zarour, director of Trauma Critical Care at HMC.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include profuse sweating, weakness, nausea, vomiting, headache, light-headedness and muscle cramps. If these symptoms occur, people are advised to seek medical help immediately.
The Peninsula
