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Name
jamileh
- Palestine
Profession
student
Question
As-Salaamu Alaykum,
i wish you all a blessed Ramadan.
what are chloric illnesses?
i am a 1 month pregnant and scare not to be able to fast safely=(. sometimes, i feel that i want to vomit and my stomach is acing and sometimes i vomit even though i don't eat anything or eat a little. sometimes, i feel that my mouth's so sugary and i must eat something salty, how can i deal with all of this in Ramadan? vomiting breaks the fasting, so what can i do to prevent it? before i get pregnant, i never eat suhur because i wouldn't feel alright all the day long , so now i believe that i must eat it to prevent bing so hungry in the morning...so pleae help me and thanks a lot for your good advice!
Answer
Pregnancy by itself is an excuse for not fasting if there is any fear for any complications for the mother or the baby.
Many studies were done and proved that normal asymptomatic pregnancy is not harmful in Ramadan. But, if there is any problem or complications during pregnancy, like repeated vomitting, it's better not to fast because you need multiple (5 to 7) small meals and it's better to be semi-solid with a lot of fluids throughout the day.
If you insist to fast you have to take multiple small meals between iftar and sohoor and a lot of fluids. You can add also some medications to prevent the sensation of nausea and vomitting eg metoclopramide 1 tablet before iftar and sohoor.
Name
ahmad nizam Bin Muhammad
- Malaysia
Profession
student
Question
it's that true that aperson ho have cancer can't fasting
Answer
Firstly, in the case of any chronic disease, the patient must consult his doctor for advice about fasting.
Patients with cancer need proper diets containing sufficient amounts of vitamins, calories and proteins.
Regarding fasting, it depends on the stage of the cancer and the site of cancer. Patients with early stages of cancer with a good general condition (no manifestations of nutritional or vitamin deficiency example: weight loss or dehydration) can fast.
Advanced cancer and patients who need hyperalimentation (medical dietary supplementation) and patients who need anti-cancer medications on a strict regular basis should not fast.
However, this must be discussed with the supervising doctor because the advice should be individualized.
Name
Sis
-
Profession
Question
Salaam
I have an underactive thyroid, endometriosis and general gynae problems. I enjoy fasting but sometimes i find fasting extremely difficult especially during the longer days. I can feel weak, tired and constipated. I still wish to fast, to gain the spiritual rewards. Would you be able to recommend any nutritional/medcial advice? Jazak Allah Khair
Answer
Firstly, before Ramadan you have to do:
1. Thyroid profile (TSH and Free T4)
2. CBC (complete blood count)to exclude the presence of anemia.
According to the thyroid state, you may have to modify the dose of treatment. If the Free T4 is low and TSH is high, you need to increase your dose of eltroxin and vice versa (after consulting your treating physician). It is better to be taken as one dose before sohoor (on an empty stomach).
Regarding dietary advice, you need a lot of fluids between iftar and sohoor and fibre-containing diets like beans, fruits, green vegetables, legumes, and bran these foods are to avoid constipation.
If you have anemia, you may need diets rich in iron, like red meats, liver, and vegetables.
Name
Mohammad gadi
- Australia
Profession
student
Question
How can Ramadhan increase the health of an individual?
Answer
There are two beneficial health aspects to Ramadan, one would be the psychological benefit and the other the physical health benefits which includes:
1. Loss of excess weight.
2. Improvement of lipid profile and glucose profile.
3. GIT (gastrointestinal) rest. This benefits patients with chronic gastrointestinal diseases.
Regarding general advice for maximum benefit from fasting, here are a few tips:
1. Drink a lot of fluids throughout the period between iftar and sohoor especially for old persons and persons exposed to cardiovascular risks.
2. We should try to make the iftar as early as we can i.e. right when the idhan for Maghrib and postpone the sohoor as much as we can and take a small snack inbetween the two. This helps give you a continuous supply of calories and to reduce the duration of fasting (limited fluid and caloric intake). It is actually sunnah to break your fast on a date, then go and pray the Magrib and return to complete your iftar. This is an ideal way to break your fast and avoid eating too much suddenly after a long period of feeling hungry.
3. Try to avoid heavy meals, especially at iftar. Lighter meals helps you carry out prayers etc without feeling sleepy.
4. Avoid fatty meals and diets containing a high amount of sugar, as much as you can. Ramadan is a chance to lose the excess weight and to improve the internal metabolic profile.
5. Try to increase diets containing water and fibres in both iftar and sohoor.
Name
Fatma
-
Profession
Question
Salamualykum doc,
My father has diabetes and i would like to know how he can arrange the times he takes his pills in Ramadan, without him getting too faint in the middle of the day.
Answer
Diabetes mellitus has two types.
1. Type 1 diabetes and this must be treated by insulin. These patients are advised not to fast in general.
2. Type 2 diabetes and this type is usually treated with pills and sometimes the patient needs insulin.
From your question your father seems to have Type 2 diabetes. Regarding fasting in these patients, you can follow the following guidelines:
* Type 2 diabetics have to check blood sugar before Ramadan by two weeks approximately to have a chance to control blood sugar before Ramadan, if it was not under control.
* If the blood sugar is too high at the time of Ramadan, it is better not to fast (fasting blood sugar more than 300 mg/dl especially if the patient has symptoms).
* If the blood sugar is controlled or not very high, the patient can fast and sometimes fasting can help in proper diabetic control.
* If the patient is taking long-acting pills eg glimperide or gliclazide MR he can take the pill just before iftar.
* If he is taking multi-dose pills, then he can take the full regular dose before iftar and take half the next dose before sohoor eg if your father takes two or three tablets before meals in Ramadan he can take one tablet before iftar and half a tablet before sohoor.
* Every diabetic has to check his blood sugar in the first two to three days of Ramadan, between the afternoon and the evening (asr and maghrib) to check for the possibility of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Further control of blood sugar can be done during Ramadan.
* A lot of fluids must be taken throughout the time between the iftar and sohoor.
The symptoms of hypoglycemia includes: sweating, irritability, blurring of vision, hungar pains, headaches, decreased awareness and it is advised to test the sugar level immediately and break fasting if the blood sugar is low. If the patient cannot check the blood sugar it's advised not to hesitate in breaking fasting if he is experiencing these symptoms.
Name
rita
-
Profession
Question
hello doctor,
my mother had a stroke two years ago and even from the first year she has been fasting. Is this ok? Does fasting affect stroke patients in anyway? Also, are there any foods she should avoid or eat more of?
Answer
Firstly, fasting can have an affect on stroke patients. Patients who have have strokes or who are predisposed to strokes could have another attack of stroke if they become dehydrated. Thus, the most important advice is to avoid dehydration by taking enough amount of fluids all through the duration between iftar and sohoor.
Regarding your mother, if she has risk factors for recurrance of stroke, like diabetes, hypertension, or hypercholestrolemia. You have to control these risk factors before Ramadan. Give her a lot of fluids, avoid excessive exposure to heat and sweating.
The food depends on the risk factors mentioned before.
Name
Abdullah
- Nigeria
Profession
Student
Question
Assalamu alaykum,
If someone is plagued with a long time illnes (say ulcer) and he is not able to fast and he also does not have the means to feed a poor person, what should he do?
Answer
Patients with peptic ulcers can fast on the condition of taking good medication like proton-pump inhibitors because there are some reports of increased incidence of peptic ulcer perforation during fasting.
For the second part of your question please refer to the Fatwa Bank or the Ask the Scholar section to receive an answer.
Name
a sister
-
Profession
Question
what is the rules for fasting for people with diabetes and in dialysis?
Answer
Regarding diabetes please refer to the answer in a previous question.
Regarding dialysis patients on dialysis are advised not to fast in general. For individual cases you have to consult your treating nephrologist.
Name
Siraj
- United States
Profession
Question
Assalamu'alaykum
I've ulcerative colitis and gastritis. How do I fast. Am I exempted from fasting, by giving fidya? or Is there a way fasting could be beneficial for me?
Jazaka Allahu khayran.
Answer
Regarding gastritis, it is ok to fast. But, it is better to take proper medication like proton-pump inhibitors or H2 blockers.
As for the ulcerative colitis, if you have remission (inactive disease) and you don't have to take regular medication, you can fast. If you have active disease, it's better not to fast (despite simple fasting can improve some symptoms of ulcerative colitis because it gives rest to the bowel.
