BEATING FATIGUE

Muslims are keen to fast in Ramadhan because it is one of the five obligations of Islam. Some sick people, however, fail to follow the norms of this obligation. Among many other complications during fasting, the most frequent is fainting.

Those fasting in Ramadhan suffer from a feeling of exhaustion and fatigue, especially with the advent of the holy month in the summer. Many have low blood pressure due to lack of some nutrients, lack of sleep and dehydration, which in turn leads to fainting.

Low blood pressure is one of the most important causes of fainting, as a slow heartbeat causes the brain not to supply enough blood, which negatively affects the maintenance of blood pressure.

Patients who suffer from chronic disorders of the vasomotor reflex are exposed to a state of fainting, as well as patients with diabetes who suffer from an increase or decrease in blood sugar.

Also, people who suffer from diseases in the heart valve, coronary artery, vascular issues in the brain and anaemia, tend to faint. Similarly, stomach cramps due to long hours of fasting obstruct enough blood supply, negatively affecting blood pressure maintenance. So one has to be careful during Ramadhan if he is fasting.

PRONE TO FAINTING

Diabetes patients are the most prone to fainting due to severe hypoglycemia for various reasons, such as an overdose of insulin at Suhoor or extreme physical exertion during the fasting period. When symptoms of hypoglycemia occur, such as severe sweating and dizziness, some food must be taken immediately.

It is recommended to drink a glass of juice to prevent fainting. If a complete loss of consciousness occurs, the patient is referred to the nearest hospital.

Before Suhoor, a person with diabetes should consult the attending physician because insulin doses may decrease during fasting. A newly discovered diabetic shouldn’t fast until the

appropriate doses are determined for treatment.

Ghuzlan al Balushi, a certified nurse from the American Institute of Health and Safety, said: “Some fasting people may suffer from fainting, considering that the direct reason for this is the lack of fluids that a person drinks from the beginning of breakfast until the time of Suhoor, or that a person drinks large amounts of drinks. The fluids in Suhoor get rid of the body because it does no benefit to them.”

Symptoms that tell you that you are about to experience faint are blurry vision and dizziness, feeling hot and sweating, pallor and upset stomach.

PLENTY OF FLUIDS

Fasting people should follow certain tips to avoid fainting during Ramadhan. A fasting person with low blood pressure is advised to use long-acting blood pressure medications after consulting a doctor, drink plenty of fluids after breaking fast to avoid dehydration, eat foods that contain potassium, iodine and magnesium, as these elements are found in fish, and reduce meat intake, to eat more fruits at breaking fast, such as apples, bananas, grapes, as the body compensates for the water it lost in fasting, eat fresh vegetables, replace lemon juice with salt when cooking food, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun while fasting, paying attention to eating the Suhoor meal, because neglecting it leads to a drop in the level of sugar in the blood, which leads to a decrease in blood pressure, drink water and fluids in sufficient quantities from iftar to Suhoor, finally, get enough sleep, because an increase or decrease in the number of hours of sleep negatively affects blood pressure.

Ramadhan comes as the month of fasting as a change in the general diet of most people. People tend to single out it with delicious food and drinks or start avoiding them as time passes. This becomes counterproductive in many cases due to excess or underestimation in eating.

We have a lack of health awareness during this holy month, so it is necessary to pay attention and follow health instructions to avoid fainting during

the fasting period.