During Ramadan, the change of food timing can be considered a big change. The change is not only in the timing but also in food items. And because of these foods, many people experience discomfort. Some people experience discomfort from overeating. Moreover, new food items with dehydration sometimes cause constipation, abdominal bloating and heartburn. There are a few people who feel weak and lethargic during Ramadan. Some experience headache in the morning, muscle cramps during evening. Many problems like these are present during Ramadan, but these can be managed quite easily.
Constipation
Constipation can cause piles (haemorroids), fissures (painful cracks in anal canal), and indigestion.
Causes: Too much refined foods, too little water, and not enough fibre in diet.
Remedy: Avoid excessive refined foods, increase water intake, and use bran in baking, brown flour when making roti.
Indigestion and wind
Causes: Over-eating. Too much fried and fatty foods, spicy foods, and foods that produce wind ie eggs, cabbage, lentils, carbonated drinks like Cola also produce gas.
Remedy: Do not over-eat; drink fruit juices or better still drink water. Avoid fried foods.
Lethargy (due to low blood pressure)
Excessive sweating, weakness, tiredness, lack of energy, dizziness, especially on getting up from sitting position, pale appearance, and feeling like fainting are symptoms associated with “low blood pressure.” This tends to occur towards the afternoon.
Causes: Too little fluid intake, decreased salt intake.
Remedy: Keep cool, increase fluid and salt intake. Caution: Low blood pressure should be confirmed by taking a blood pressure reading when symptoms are present. Persons with high blood pressure may need their medication adjusted during Ramadan. They should consult their doctor.
Headache
Causes: Caffeine and tobacco-withdrawal, doing too much in one day, lack of sleep, hunger usually occur as the day goes by and worsens at the end of the day.
When associated with “low blood pressure,” the headache can be quite severe and can also cause nausea before Iftar.
Remedy: Cut down caffeine and tobacco slowly starting a week or two before Ramadan. Herbal and caffeine-free teas may be substituted. Reorganise your schedule during the Ramadan so as to have adequate sleep.
Low Blood Sugar
Weakness, dizziness, tiredness, poor concentration, perspiring easily, feeling shaky (tremor), unable to perform physical activities, headache, palpitations are symptoms of low blood sugar.
Causes: in non-diabetics Having too much sugar ie refined carbohydrates specially at suhur (sehri). The body produces too much insulin causing the blood glucose to drop.
Remedy: Eat something at sehri and limit sugar-containing foods and drinks.
Caution: Diabetics may need to adjust their medication in Ramadan, consult your doctor.
Muscle Cramps
Causes: Inadequate intake of calcium, magnesium and potassium.
Remedy: Eat foods rich in the above minerals e.g. vegetables, fruit, dairy products, meat and dates.
Caution: Those on high blood pressure medication and with kidney stone problems should consult their doctor.
Peptic Ulcers, Heart Burn, Gastritis
Increased acid levels in the empty stomach in Ramadan aggravate the above conditions. It presents as a burning feeling in the stomach area under the ribs and can extend upto the throat. Spicy foods, coffee, and Cola drinks worsen these conditions. Medications are available to control acid levels in the stomach.
People with proven peptic ulcers and hiatus hernia should consult their doctor well before Ramadan.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones may occur in people who have less liquids to drink. Therefore, it is essential to drink extra liquids so as to prevent stone formation.
Joint Pains
Causes: During Ramadan, when extra salah are performed, the pressure on the knee joints increases. In the elderly and those with arthritis this may result in pain, stiffness, swelling and discomfort.
Remedy: Lose weight so that the knees do not have to carry any extra load. Exercise the lower limbs before Ramadan so that they can be prepared for the additional strain. Being physically fit allows greater fulfillment, thus enabling one to be able to perform salah with ease.
