And how to prevent and deal with them.The following advice has been provided following consultation with medical experts and Islamic scholars.
Fasting and heartburn
Fasting
usually reduces the amount of stomach acid, which digests food and
kills bacteria. However, thoughts of food, or the smell of it, make the
brain tell the stomach to produce more acid, which can lead to heartburn.
People who regularly take medicine for indigestion – such as antacids, antihistamines or proton pump inhibitors – are advised to continue taking them. A good time to do this could be with the pre-dawn meal.
The
control of heartburn or belching can be aided by eating in moderation
and avoiding oily, deep-fried or very spicy food. Reducing your caffeine
intake and stopping smoking can also help.
Preparations such as
peppermint oil may help reduce belching or abdominal discomfort.
Sleeping with your head raised on a few pillows, in addition to
long-term weight loss, may also help prevent heartburn.
Fasting and poor control of diabetes
People who regularly inject insulin are advised not to fast, as the potential risk to health – both in the short and long term – of not taking insulin is too great. People who have their diabetes under control using tablets should seek careful advice from their GP before starting a fast.
Regular
self-monitoring of your blood glucose is strongly advised. Low blood
sugar levels (known as a "hypo") are dangerous, and may lead to fainting
or fits if left untreated.
Feeling dizzy, sweaty and disoriented
may all suggest a hypo. If a person with diabetes has these symptoms,
they should immediately have a sugary drink, or place sugar or a
sugar-rich sweet below their tongue.
Fasting and a headache
This common problem has many causes. Headaches
during a fast could be due to dehydration or hunger, poor rest, or the
absence of addictive substances, such as caffeine or nicotine.
A
moderate and balanced diet, especially not missing the pre-dawn meal,
taking in enough fluids and, if necessary, some painkillers such as
paracetamol, can help prevent or reduce the risk of getting a headache.
Headaches
can also be prevented by not exposing yourself to direct sunlight,
wearing a hat when out, using sunglasses to reduce the effect of glare
from the sun and relieving any tense muscles with a short, gentle
massage.
Fasting and dehydration
Dehydration is common during a fast. The body continues to lose water and salts through breathing, perspiring and urinating.
If
you don’t drink sufficiently before a fast, your risk of dehydration
increases. This risk is higher in older people and in those taking
tablets, such as diuretics.
If you are unable to stand up due to
dizziness, or you are disoriented, you should urgently drink regular,
moderate quantities of water – ideally with sugar and salt – or Dioralyte or Lucozade.
If
you faint due to dehydration, your legs should be raised above your
head by others, and when you awake, you should urgently rehydrate as
outlined above.
Fasting and constipation
When you are
fasting, being active, drinking water regularly and eating healthily
(during the times when you are not fasting) will help to keep your bowel
motions regular. Include lots of fruit and vegetables in
your diet and increase the fibre content of your food using bran. If
the problem persists, a short course of laxatives may help.
Fasting and stress
Lack
of food and water, changes of routine and shorter periods of sleep can
cause stress. It’s important to deal with any potential sources of
stress to stop any harmful effects. This can be helped by not taking on
more than you can handle, not playing sports in the hot sun, controlling your anger and not smoking.
Fasting and weight control
Food
consumed during the pre-dawn and dusk meals may lead to some unintended
weight gain. However, if you approach the fast with discipline, it can
be an opportunity to lose weight and become healthier.
Article Source by : NHS
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