HEALTHCARE

CONSIDERATIONS IN

RAMADAN
Compiled by medical experts, Islamic scholars & researchers

www.discover-islam.org.uk

WHATS THE PLAN?

1

What is Ramadan

Rules of fasting

Health issues in Ramadan

Meaning, purpose & importance

Who can fast, Dos and donts

Medical conditions

your
THOUGHTS

=scorching heat

How does this

meaning make
sense?

The best
things
are
heated
products
Purification

2. Safar
1. Muharram

3. Rabi
al-awwal

4. Rabi
5. Jumada
al-thani
6. Jumada
al-awwal
al-thani

12 MOON MONTHS
8. Sha'ban 9. Ramadan 10.
Shawwal
7. Rajab

11. Dhu al- 12. Dhu

Qi'dah
al-Hijjah

1.5 BILLION MUSLIMS IN THE

WORLD FASTING IN RAMADAN

="

But why?"

Who keeps this

globe
spinning?

{
Who gives us a night to
rest every day?

So whats"
our guide"
in life?"

Moses"

David"

Taurah"

Zaboor"

Messengers of God
Received guidance"

Jesus"

Injeel"

Muhammad"

Quran"

Night of Power
Lailatul Qadr"

We will be
judged"

Heaven"
or "
Hell"

Giving charity to
the needy
Fasting in the month
of Ramadan
Witnessing there
is only One God

Praying 5
times a day

Making pilgrimage
to the Kabah
built by Abraham

}
So "

why"
fast?"

O you who believe!

Fasting is written for
you as it was written
for those before you,
so that you may
become conscious
of God and better

[Quran 2:183]

Reading & learning

the Quran

Contemplation
Compassion
Charity
Community

Making lots of
supplication

Spending more time

at the mosque

Increasing in prayer
and worship

Give in charity
and help the poor

Whoever does
not give up false
speech and
acting upon it
and offensive
speech and
behaviour, Allah
has no need of
his giving up his
food and drink.

No eating, drinking
or intimate relations

Avoiding time
wasters

No swearing, lying
and backbiting

No arguing or fighting
and avoiding sins

Ramadan
IN
LUTON

Dietary recommendaIons

Complex carbohdrates

Grains and seeds, like barley, wheat,

oats, millets, beans, lenIls, wholemeal,
our, chickpeas, basmaI rice

Fibre-rich foods

Bran, cereals, whole wheat, grains

and seeds, potatoes + skin, vegetables
and fruit including apricots & gs

Milk based dishes

Rice pudding, Rasmalai, Barfee

Baked/boiled/Grilled dishes

Heavily-processed foods
Sugar, white our etc.

FaZy foods

Cakes, biscuits, chocolates, sweets

High caeine drinks

Tea, coee, cola (cause faster water

loss through urinaIon)

Deep fried foods

Pakoras, Samosas

Sunrise
2.50am

How
long?

Sunset
9.24pm

PotenIal Health ComplicaIons

and Possible Remedies

So whoever among you is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of days

[are to be made up]. And upon those who face diculty fasHng, they must
subsHtute this by feeding a poor person
Surah Al-Baqarah: 184

APPROACH
1. SYMPTOMS

2. MANAGEMENT
3. PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

Heartburn
FasIng usually reduces the amount of acid produced, although
thinking about food can cause the body to produce more acid.
Hence if there is a net increase in acid, heartburn may occur.
Those on regular medicaIon e.g. Antacids (Gaviscon),
anIhistamines (Zantac) or proton pump inhibitors (Losec,
Nexium) should take them at the predawn meal
Eat in moderaIon - avoid oily, deep fried or very spicy food.
Reduce caeine intake. Peppermint oil may help reduce colic.

Poor control of diabetes

Those injecIng insulin are advised not to fast, as the potenIal risk to health, both in
the short and long term, of not taking insulin is too great.
Regular self-monitoring is very important. Low blood sugar levels (Hypo) is
dangerous, and if untreated may lead to faint or ts. Symptoms include
feeling dizzy, sweaty and disorientated. If suspected, you should have a sugary
drink, or place sugar or a sugar-rich sweet below the tongue.
Those with medicated diabetes control should see a GP before Ramadan to
discuss any changes in medicaIon. This is very important for those with other
further complicaIons e.g. angina, eye disease

Eat balanced meals and take medicaIon pre-dawn. Monitor closely.

Migraines / Headache
Commonly due to dehydraIon or hunger, inadequate rest, or due to the absence of
addicIve substances such as caeine or nicoIne.

Those with a history of frequent and/or disabling migraines should aim to gain
adequate control with lifestyle and/or medical treatment if required, prior to
starIng a fast.

Moderate and balanced diet especially not missing the pre-dawn meal, consuming
adequate quanIIes of uid and if necessary taking a dose of painkillers such
as paracetamol. Keep out of the sun.

DehydraHon
This risk is higher in the elderly, and in those taking tablets such as diureIcs.
Depending on the severity of the dehydraIon, you may experience a general
feeling of being unwell, lethargy, muscle cramps, dizziness, disorientaIon and
even collapse or faint.
If you are unable to stand-up due to dizziness, or disorientated, you should
urgently re-hydrate with regular moderate quanIIes of water, ideally with
sugar and salt, such as Dioralyte or Lucozade.

Drink as much water as possible prior to and aner the fast. Try to cut down on
caeine in teas, coees and zzy drinks.

Other maRers
High blood pressure and
asthma are controlled using
medicaIons that need to be
taken regularly every day of
the year.

Consult with your doctor
should to discuss potenIal
opIons of compleIng a fast
safely, whilst conInuing to
control your disease.

ConsIpaIon could be a very

irritaIng problem for the
person undertaking a fast.
Maintain good hydraIon
outside the fast eaIng
healthily, with lots of fruit
and vegetables in your diet
to increase bre and remain
acIve to help your bowel
moIons.
If the problem persists, a
short course of bulk laxaIves
may help.

Lack of food and water,

changes of rouIne and
shorter periods of sleep can
all collude to increase stress
levels.
Dont take on more than you
can reasonably handle.
Avoid playing sports in the
hot sun, controlling your
anger in advance and
abstaining from smoking.

Pregnancy & children

It is not compulsory to fast
while pregnant, but the fasts
should be made up later.

If a pregnant woman feels
strong and healthy enough
to fast, especially during the
early part of the pregnancy,
she may do so.

Breasoeeding

Islamic law exempts a
breasoeeding mother from
fasIng. Missed fasts will
need to be compensated for
by fasIng if possible once
breasoeeding has ceased.

Children are required to fast

from the age of puberty, and
this not harmful. FasIng
prior to this age is tolerated
dierently depending on the
childrens general health,
nutriIon and aptude.
FasIng prior to the age of 7
or 8 years is not advisable,
although it is a good idea to
make young children aware
of the pracIce of fasIng in
the community around them
and perhaps do mini-fasts.

THANK YOU
www.discover-islam.org.uk