Being aware of health issues and making appropriate preparations will help you make the best of Ramadan, so that you can spend it focusing on worship instead of health factors that could have been managed better.

Medication


Along with food and drink, oral medication and some kinds of injections invalidate the fast. Therefore, it is important to discuss the kinds of medications you are taking with your doctor or pharmacist, so that you can decide on the necessity of each medication and see if you can change the dosage schedule to accommodate your fasting during Ramadan. 

All pharmacists are experts in medication, but it is important to obtain advice in changing medication to suit fasting by a pharmacist that knows your history and he or she should be suitably trained and have knowledge of your specific conditions before advising you on how to change your medicines.

Diabetes


It is not compulsory to fast if you are diabetic with poor diabetes control. Islam does not want you to cause harm to yourself. From past experiences, I have heard patients tell me that they are fasting against medical wishes, as they feel guilty and believe they should. If your diabetes isn’t controlled then you must not fast.

If you are a diabetic and are fasting during Ramadan, it is important that you seek advise from your doctor to ensure you are physically fit and healthy and your Diabetes is in control.  Your medication for Diabetes may change because you are fasting. 

As the number of hours that you are allowed to eat is significantly reduced, some medication may have to be adjusted. Some medication cannot be taken together so you may have to split the medication into Iftari and Sehri dosages. Please go in to see your pharmacist who can help you create your own personalised regime and will give you advice on fasting.

Pregnancy


Pregnant and nursing women are exempt from fasting if they have genuine reason to fear harm to themselves or their child. Advice should be sought from your GP or pharmacist who can evaluate any specific concerns. 

If you decide to fast, then pharmacists could help you plan your meals so that you receive adequate nutrition during non-fasting hours to avoid fatigue. New and expecting mothers also have to be particularly aware of their intake of fluids so that they can nourish their babies effectively.

Quit smoking 

If you are a smoker, it is advisable for you to take the necessary steps to stop smoking this Ramadan. This will allow you to gain the full benefits of this holy month and will be an important step towards restoring your health. 

The atmosphere surrounding Ramadan helps one to have more discipline and to strive to be a better Muslim in all aspects of life. 

It is an ideal time to try to give up smoking. Go and see your pharmacist, who can advise you on stop smoking medication to help you give up and can offer you friendly advice and support.

Change your habits


Due to drinking excessive amounts of coffee or tea, some people suffer headaches, dizziness or fatigue during the first week of Ramadan. 

They can also experience the unpleasant side effects of sudden caffeine withdrawal, which can also include irritability, nervousness, anxiety and nausea. You can reduce or avoid these symptoms by reducing your tea and coffee intake the month before Ramadan. 

As fasting coincides with summer, fluid intake is very important. Many people do drink plenty of water after opening the fast but find that they cannot retain the water whilst they are fasting. A good way around this is to drink coconut water at Sehri. Coconut water is high in potassium, sodium and magnesium. 

These salts are important for muscle function and help to prevent dehydration. Try and drink plenty of water to hydrate yourself instead of tea and coffee. Make a smoothie or a milkshake, for drinking after Tarawee prayers.

At Iftari, it is very important to eat a healthy and balanced meal. I know from experience that our women spend ages preparing and filling the freezers with fried food for Ramadan. I am not going to say don’t eat it at all but plan to eat it in moderation and not everyday. 

A good meal would start with a plate of freshly cut fruit and dates and a glass of water. After Magrib Salah, enjoy your main meal, which should consist of some protein, vegetables and carbohydrates. 

The protein could be grilled chicken, meat, fish, eggs, beans or pulses. This could be served with rice or roti and some vegetables. Make a fresh salad to accompany the meal. 

If you fancy some fried food then choose one thing and have a few on the side with your main meal. 

The problem arises when a big tali of fried food hits the table before your main meal and you satisfy your apetitte with the variety of greasy foods in front of you. This will put a strain on your digestive system, which will have to work very hard to digest these fried foods. 

For Sehri, try and eat some protein like eggs, complex carbohydrates and some fibre. Complex carbohydrates are found in foods such as porridge oats, beans, whole grains and vegetables. Both simple (sugar, starch) and complex carbohydrates are turned into glucose in the body and are used as energy. 

Simple carbohydrates like white bread, pasta, rice changes into glucose fairly rapidly, making you feel hungry very quickly. Complex carbohydrates like porridge oats, whole meal roti, and nuts release their energy slowly over time so keeps you feeling full for longer. 

The more processed a meal is, the more unhealthy it will be. Current thinking for a healthy diet is trending towards eating all foods in moderation and trying to avoid processed foods. Processed foods are foods that have been modified from their original source. 

These foods could be grounded, cooked, fried, juiced, mixed with additives and have been sweetened or salted. Unprocessed foods are foods that are closest to their original form such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, meat, and nuts.

A good example to explain this is eating a whole apple, which is very good for you as opposed to apple juice, which has been squeezed, filtered and sweetened, where all the goodness has been removed and you are left with a simple sugar drink. Drink plenty of water in regular, small amounts from Iftari to Sehri to keep you hydrated.

Inshallah, if you follow this advice then fasting should become easier putting less strain on your body and will give you more energy to worship. 

The advantage with following this advice is that, it can be carried on after Ramadan for a healthy lifestyle. Pop in and see us at either pharmacy and we will be more than happy to address any queries you may have. Let this Ramadan be the best Ramadan for all of us.

Article by Moonira Hinglotwala Pharmacist at Granville Road Pharmacy and Riaz Hinglotwala (Trained in Diabetes Medication Management) Pharmacist at Riaz Pharmacy,