The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) has offered important health tips for fasting people in the Holy Month of Ramadan.
“We, as doctors, believe that fasting is a patients’ personal right, and our mission is to help them take the right decision and fast safely,” said Dr Naela Darwish Saad, manager of PHCC’s Umm Salal Health Centre.
One of the most important risks that older persons face while fasting is dehydration and complications of chronic diseases, added Dr Saad. These include heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney failure. Add to that medication non-adherence as well as malnutrition and deficiency of some vitamins, minerals, and calcium.
Dr Saad advised older persons with chronic diseases to see a doctor early enough before Ramadan to check if it is safe to fast, and to manage their medications and determine the proper timings for taking them. Further, she advised to hasten to break their fast and avoid high-fat.
For people suffering from chronic diseases, Dr Saad said that they should consult their doctor before fasting to check if it is safe to fast and develop a treatment plan for them.
"People with type1 diabetes who are on insulin or people with type 2 diabetes on several doses of insulin a day, are not advised to fast. However, if a patient takes one injection of insulin, it should be before Iftar. If taken twice a day morning and evening, the main dose should be before Iftar and the lowest dose before Suhoor, according to their doctor’s instructions.
"For diabetics who take a tablet once a day, it can be taken before Iftar. For tablets taken twice a day, a dose can be taken before Iftar and the other before Suhoor. For some types of tablets, the patient may need to reduce the dose taken at Suhoor, according to their doctor’s instructions."
Dr Saad noted that all fasting diabetics need to measure their blood sugar levels at home to ensure that they control their sugar levels properly. Home tests should be done before Iftar and Suhoor meals and two hours after the two meals.
"Patients with acute hepatitis and decompensated liver failure cannot fast as they desperately need sugars and they develop ascites. Patients with chronic hepatitis and hepatic steatosis can fast, keeping in mind that they should avoid fatty foods. They should also quit smoking and reduce animal protein to 50 to 80gms.
"Fasting is not advisable for some patients with cardiovascular disease such as those who experienced a recent stroke during the first six weeks, unstable angina, acute heart failure, heart arrhythmias, some cases of valve stenosis, and some cases of uncontrolled high blood pressure.
"Patients with kidney failure should not fast. If a patient is undergoing dialysis, they can fast on the day when they are not undergoing dialysis. It is also advisable not to fast for patients with kidney stones, especially on extremely hot days.
"For asthma patients, fasting have benefits such as improving the lungs capacity and asthma. Patients can use bronchodilators while fasting, according to religious scholars’ fatwas as well as the doctor’s instructions."
Dr Saad stated that fasting for pregnant women does not negatively affect the growth of the foetus if she follows a healthy lifestyle and diet. However, she has to consult her doctor to avoid any risks she or her unborn baby may be exposed to or any pain she may feel.
"Some pregnant women are not advised to fast such as mothers with low blood pressure, severe vomiting in the early months of pregnancy, and some chronic diseases that require a specific medication. They also should not fast if there is a decrease in foetal movement or weight, if they suffer from preterm labour pain, if they are taking medication to prevent preterm labour."
Dr Naela Darwish Saad
