- What kind of patients should consult a doctor before they decide to fast during Ramadan?
A: Patients taking medications for diabetes, hypertension (High BP), heart diseases, kidney problems, gastrointestinal diseases.
- I am a diabetic patient and if I want to fast during Ramadan, what are the precautions that needs to be taken medically?
A: Medications dosage and timings may need adjustments to avoid fluctuations in sugar control. They also benefit by following a diabetic diet.
- Are there any diet plans you recommend while fasting in Ramadan if my cholesterol levels are high?
A: Fasting with healthy eating will prevent ‘bad cholesterol’ intake and limit excess caloric intake. This is beneficial to cardiovascular system and helps with insulin resistance. Fasting does not usually need significant changes to cholesterol therapy.
- It is always said that drinking water up to 3 liters a day is ideal. During Ramadan it is impossible to drink a lot of water. What are the problems related to this and how can we prevent it?
A: To avoid negative water balance, it is advisable to avoid high salt containing and dehydrating food during Suhoor and Iftar. It would also be beneficial to avoid over-exhaustion and exposure to hot temperatures and dry air. This way, one can limit loss of water from the body.
- What are the precautions to be taken during fasting to prevent fatigue during the day?
A: Healthy balanced meals during iftar followed by avoiding exhaustion and exposure to hot temperatures.
- What are the preventive measures to be taken during fasting to control high or low blood pressure levels?
A: Certain type of medications may need to be dose adjusted and avoid high sodium intake.
- I have always heard that fasting in Ramadan is spiritually and health wise good. What are the possible good changes to our body if we fast during Ramadan?
A: It can reinforce healthy eating habits, help in breaking insulin resistance in people who tend to indulge in high caloric intake and hence have beneficial effects on cardiovascular system.
- Every year, during the early days of fasting, I get constipation. What are the preventive measures?
A: High fiber diet, avoid dehydrating food, reducing red meat consumption, reducing oil food.
Dr. Nitin Sivadas
MBBS, DNB (Medicine)
Internal Medicine Specialist
Badr Al Samaa Medical Centre
Dr. Nitin with more than 12 years of clinical experience, has worked in many prominent hospitals. He is specialized in treatment and management of Hypertension (BP); Diabetes; Lipidemia (Cholesterol); Chronic Respiratory Diseases (Asthma & COPD); Thyroid Diseases; Arthritis Disorders; Gastro Esophageal Reflux diseases; Infectious diseases and Hyperuricemia (Uric Acid).