By Noimot Olayiwola/Staff Reporter


Dr al-Ansari: health tips
An increasing number of children, between eight to 14 years old, are suffering from constipation and indigestion after consuming too much food and fluids while breaking their fast, Paediatric Emergency Centres director Dr Khalid al-Ansari disclosed yesterday.
He added that a good number of children were being rushed to PECs with stomach flu causing vomiting and diarrhoea.
“We are seeing a growing number of children with these problems. This is largely due to their rush for food at ‘Iftar’, having fasted all day. The ideal thing, however, is for them to start breaking their fast gradually by first having their lost sugar replaced by eating a few pieces of dates. This is highly recommended as dates contain sugar, which can help replenish the body,” he explained.
Dr al-Ansari stressed it was important to have a 30-minute gap - immediately after breaking fast - before starting to eat. This will allow easy assimilation and aid digestion, he added.
“Having broken one’s fast with dates and a little amount of fluids like laban or water to rehydrate the body, it is wise to give some time, like going to observe “salat” first before settling down to eat. Parents should ensure their children do this to prevent them having these health problems,” he added.
Dr al-Ansari suggested that food should be consumed slowly and in small bits. “A bit of everything is good,” he pointed out.
“Once it is time to break fast, it is natural to rush for food, especially among children. However, parents should dissuade this and ensure their children start the process gradually. Apart from making available dates, parents must always provide their fasting children with a well balanced diet including a good variety of fruits and vegetable,” he added.
Besides commonly seen illnesses such as asthma, cold and cough and gastroenteritis, fever was still very prevalent among young children below three years, he added.
Last month, the PECs recorded an increase in the number of newborn babies suffering from fever with up to 20 cases showing up daily.
Dr al-Ansari said the fever could be due to some virus or infection in the air.
“There can be many causes for a baby’s fever. Dehydration is one as also over-clothing the infant in relatively warm environment. Dress your baby in just one more layer of clothing than you are comfortable in,” he advised.