Word of caution: ‘Avoid over-eating in Ramazan’

LAHORE: Health experts have advised those fasting to avoid overeating and urged them to stay away from fried and high-calorie foods.

Talking to APP, Mayo Hospital’s Dr Tahira Cheema said more patients reported to hospitals with heart disease during Ramazan than any other month. She said this was due to bad eating habits.

“With precautionary measures and a little awareness, people can easily avoid heart-related complications,” she said.

She said those intending to fast should ensure hydration. They should drink a lot of water before and after their fast.

She advised people to reduce salt consumption and rely on fruits and vegetables to avoid health complications.

Dr Muhammad Shabbir said that in Ramzan, excessive eating caused people to gain weight instead of losing it.

“When people fast in summer, the likelihood of formation of blood clots rises. This can cause strokes and heart attacks.”

Muhammad Iqbal of the Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS) said chronic heart patients should consult their physicians before deciding to fast.

“Do not miss essential medicines without proper guidance,” he said.

Iqbal said patients of diabetes and hypertension should also consult their doctors before fasting.      “Diabetes and hypertension medicines must be re-adjusted during Ramazan,” he said. Terming smoking as the major cause of heart diseases, he said the incidence of premature coronary heart disease was high in Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10^th, 2016.