March-April . 2022 | @ Halal
Supported by
Cover Story
11
Staying healthy during Ramadan
Critical to maintain good health to continue and complete the fast successfully and safely
BY KHIRTINI K KUMARAN
RAMADAN , the largest Muslim celebration involving a month of fasting , is filled with religious observances . Adding to the festivities is the breaking the fast gatherings , held to savour those special Ramadan delights with loved ones .
While it is natural to be tempted by the delicious treats in front of you , this does not mean that you should eat everything you need during sahur and iftar .
Not following a balanced diet can lead to a harmful eating pattern that might cause weight gain and health problems .
" The goal of fasting is not to make you suffer ; you should not be sick during fasting , and it should not affect your health badly ," explained pharmacist Fahmi Hassan .
He is currently pursuing his PhD in the field of Social Pharmacy . He previously held the position of Senior Assistant Director of Pharmaceutical Services Programme under the Ministry of Health ( MoH ).
During Ramadan , eat foods high in protein , carbohydrates , vitamins , and minerals , and drink plenty of water to meet the amount of energy and nutrients your body requires throughout the day .
It is critical to maintain good health to continue and complete the fast successfully and safely .
Importance of balanced diet
“ Do not overlook the importance of eating a healthy diet while fasting ,” Fahmi cautioned .
Each day of Ramadan begins with sahur , a pre-dawn meal that includes enough food and water to keep a person going through a long day of fasting .
Families break the fast together at sunset with an evening meal known as Iftar , usually high in calories and served with plenty of fluids .
When fasting , however , people frequently neglect their healthy diet . Because they haven ' t eaten in 12 hours , they are tempted to eat anything at night .
“ It is essential for people who are fasting , regardless of whether they have a health condition or not , to take care of their diet ,” said Fahmi .
Maintaining a well-balanced , healthy diet high in fibre and low in salt and glycemic index is highly recommended .
“ Make sure you have enough carbohydrates , protein , and fibre in your meal plan . Also , limit your food intake at night .
“ To correctly manage your condition , eat several small meals rather than one large meal .
“ People tend to experience stomach discomfort , such as gastric stomach pain if they don ’ t follow a proper diet plan ,” he added .
Health monitoring and medication management
Fasting is usually exempt for chronic illnesses
Fahmi Hassan like diabetes and gastric ulcers . However , if they insist on fasting , they must be examined and ensure that their condition is appropriately managed and monitored by their doctors .
According to Fahmi , these patients should take extra care of their health and consult GPs or pharmacists before fasting .
“ It is best to take care of your health a month or two before Ramadan . Start taking your medication regularly to control your blood pressure , diabetes , blood glucose and other health conditions . It is so that you don ’ t experience any adverse side effects during fasting .
Based on his experience working in the pharmacy department , Fahmi shared that fasting mainly affects those with diabetes mellitus because of their inability to regulate blood sugar properly .
“ Patients must make an effort to visit and consult a doctor or pharmacist before fasting starts ,” stressed Fahmi .
As there are various chronic diseases and different levels of severity , an individualised approach is needed in treating and managing fasting Muslim patients during Ramadan .
While some medication dosages or frequency can accommodate the general fasting routine , most medications are not possible .
Therefore , it ' s critical that medication management recommendation is tailored to each patient ' s health situation .
Healthcare providers , said Fahmi , should know whether or not medications can be adjusted , as well as how to change the timing or dosage .
Supporting patient ’ s health during Ramadan
“ In Islam , there are several categories of people who are not required to fast . People who are exempted in the context of healthcare are those who are unable to fast due to their medical condition ,”
Despite being exempt from fasting , many Muslim patients with acute or chronic medical conditions strongly desire to participate . They will choose to disregard medical advice and fast , which could harm their health if not adequately addressed .
“ Some people may not even tell their doctors about their condition because they are afraid it will prevent them from fasting .
“ Non-compliance with prescribed medications during Ramadan is also an issue , which can aggravate their health conditions , as they fear invalidating their fasting .”
As a result , healthcare professionals , doctors , and pharmacists play an essential role in assisting Muslim patients with acute or chronic medical conditions to fast safely during Ramadan by addressing required medicine management and lifestyle changes to avoid potential fasting hazards .
To have an informed discussion with their Muslim patients , both Muslim and non- Muslim healthcare professionals must be aware of the types of medication , conditions , and procedures that may or may not invalidate fasting .
Patients can achieve successful health outcomes and safe fasting with careful support , advice , and shared decision-making about treatment plans .
Another important aspect is to inform and educate patients about the warning signs and symptoms of worsening conditions , what to do if they occur , and when to seek medical help .
“ This is something that is frequently overlooked during consultations ,” Fahmi explained .
It is also critical for doctors and pharmacists to identify individuals who are unable to fast safely and advise them accordingly .
“ A recommendation of not fasting should come from healthcare professionals , and they should also know how to interact with the patient if they are not fit to fast . Help them understand risks and danger if they observe the fast .”