Saying that the month of Ramadan is a candidate to create some physical changes in our body, Uzm. Dr. Mustafa Çakar emphasized to pay attention to certain issues in order for these changes to be positive and made suggestions to those with reflux problems.
DANGEROUS FOR THOSE WITH CHRONIC DISEASES
Pointing out that fasting may be inconvenient for those with chronic diseases, Uzm. Dr. Mustafa Çakar, “Especially diabetics, those with blood pressure problems, kidney patients, those who use regular medication, those with a diagnosis of malignant disease, patients in the post-operative period, patients who have had severe Covid-19 and similar infections and are in the convalescent phase should not fast, although it is possible if they want to fast. They should leave it after the recovery period,” he said.
AVOID FAST EATING
Underlining that we need to work the physiology of our body correctly in every process and situation, Uzm. Dr. Mustafa Çakar shared the following information:
“Nutrition starts with the mouth. We should try to chew food well and not disrupt our dental check-ups. Foods that are not completely disintegrated in the mouth tire the stomach more. Consuming very cold and very hot foods, getting cold from the abdomen, eating fast cause indigestion. Consuming raw fruits and vegetables without washing them well, not being selective in food intake, not being able to maintain the cold chain in foods that require cold chain can cause important stomach and intestinal problems. Being mentally tired and nervous negatively affects digestive functions. In this respect, it is important to do light exercises, to engage in relaxing activities and communication. People with chronic stomach and intestinal disorders should pay more attention to these factors, especially during Ramadan.
THOSE WHO HAVE GASTRIT AND REFLUX PROBLEM SHOULD PAY ATTENTION TO THESE SUGGESTIONS
Stating that with fasting in Ramadan, we switched to a meal order that our body was not used to before, Uzm. Dr. Mustafa Çakar said, “We, who are accustomed to eating 3 meals a day and consume drinks such as snacks and tea in between, experience a shock effect in the first days of Ramadan because we stay away from almost all food items during the day. In this process, we must keep the fast by following the basic dynamics of the body and following the rules.
THINGS TO BE CONSIDERED IN SAHUR
Pointing out that the sahur meal eaten at night can cause problems such as acid reflux and morning sickness in the stomach and esophagus, Uzm. Dr. Mustafa Çakar said:
“In order to prevent problems such as reflux and morning sickness, it would be good to consume more protein foods, which are well known for their saturation feature at sahur. The most well-known example is the egg. With its fibrous structure, dates help a more controlled blood sugar regulation. Fat and sugar content should be very low in sahur. Eating oily, spicy and sugary foods at sahur can cause stomach acid reflux. Reflux problem is more common when you eat sahur and then go to bed immediately. In sahur, tea should be limited to one or two glasses, if possible, coffee should not be drunk. Again, too salty foods that can trigger the feeling of thirst should be avoided. It would be good not to lie down for a while after eating sahur, for both digestion and reflux problems. Those with gastritis and reflux problems should pay more attention to these measures.”
PREFER MANY PROTEIN FOODS IN SAHUR
Stating that the problems that occur in the morning can be replaced by the feelings of hunger, fatigue, thirst, and fainting in the afternoon, Uzm. Dr. Mustafa Çakar said that in order to reduce the feeling of hunger on long days, low glycemic index, abundant protein and fiber foods should be consumed at sahur.
NUTRITIONS SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED TOO MUCH
Stating that moderate and long-term, intermittent and controlled fasting provides a good opportunity to regulate the body’s fat balance, Uzm. Dr. Mustafa Çakar said, “We can think of it as a workout. But every workout and activity has a rule. With hunger, liver fat stores are reduced, fat is separated from the areas where it accumulates in the body and passes into the blood, used for energy and production. If the food content taken in sahur and iftar can be balanced, weight control and reduction in fat can be achieved in this process. However, if it is said that I have been hungry all day and are fed with a large amount of food without distinguishing the type after iftar, this will not only take away from the essence and purpose of fasting, but also create negative effects for our health.
START IFTAR WITH SOUP
Emphasizing that after breaking the fast with a little water, the iftar meal should be continued with hot soup. Dr. Mustafa Çakar made the following suggestions:
“The variety should be limited in iftar, and the stomach should not be filled with more and different varieties after a long hunger. Carbohydrate, protein, fat contents can be consumed at this hour. In order to get enough food and to fast the next day, it is appropriate to drink the water at room temperature and little by little, starting from iftar. Water should be drunk in plenty, mostly after iftar, in the interim hours when digestion reaches a certain stage, taking into account the daily losses. This period is 2-3 hours after iftar. It would be appropriate to rest a little after iftar, and to drink tea and coffee after the meal is digested. Water consumption should continue from time to time until sahur.”
GAS PAINS ARE VISIBLE
Underlining that stomach and intestinal disorders have an important place among emergency and internal medicine applications during Ramadan, Uzm. Dr. Dr. Mustafa Çakar, “Medical conditions such as bloating in the stomach, gas pains, indigestion, reflux, diarrhea, feeling of thirst, fainting, dizziness, high blood pressure, low or high blood pressure may occur. In this respect, it is of great importance to consider fasting as an eating education by healthy individuals, to comply with the rules, to stay away from excessive amounts and types of food that will tire the stomach at sahur and iftar, and to consume adequate and controlled water.”
