Hospital admission numbers increase at start of Ramadan, study reveals
Hospital admission numbers tend to surge at the beginning of Ramadan, a study has found, with headaches and upset stomachs among the most common complaints.
The analysis of patient numbers at the start of the holy month has been published by Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi, Rashid Hospital in Dubai, Dubai Medical College for Girls, and hospitals in Libya and the UK.
Doctors reviewed several decades of published literature on emergency admissions during Ramadan, up to 2022, to examine pressures faced by hospitals.
“An important goal for the emergency department operational management is planning for changes in patient volume and assuring staffing accordingly,” the authors said.
“EDs worldwide experience substantial variability in hourly patient arrivals and change considerably during holidays, posing challenges to resource allocation.
“Ramadan is associated with social and biological changes in a repetitive annual occurrence, which may impact the burden on emergency services.”
Several themes emerged, such as an increased risk of accidents and injuries around the time of iftar, and more treatment for diabetic emergencies.
Acute neurological conditions were reported, including the “first day of Ramadan headache”, epilepsy and strokes.
The analysis also found Ramadan fasting could impact renal and urological systems, exacerbated by not drinking fluids during the day.
Dr Yassin El Shahat, chief medical officer at Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi, said most problems began to subside once those fasting adjusted to new eating patterns.
“The most common problems we see in the first days of Ramadan are gastroenterological issues, headaches and migraines,” he said.
“People eat different foods, or overeat and meal schedules change so they have abdominal issues. Some have a migraine crisis after fasting for a long period. Those fasting who usually drink coffee in the morning will endure headaches by noon as their bodies adjust – and they usually come into the emergency room.
“It can be adjusted and compensated after the first few days, as people take their caffeine later in the evening.”
Renal colic is a familiar problem treated by doctors. It is a pain that occurs when a stone blocks the urinary tract, usually due to lack of fluids, and can cause nausea and vomiting.
Painful urinary tract infections are another common ailment, usually brought on by dehydration. “We see people taking tablets for certain conditions at multiple times of the day come into hospital, as it takes time to adjust their medication with different mealtimes at iftar and suhoor,” said Dr El Shahat.
“Those on anti-hypertension medication or antibiotics generally shouldn’t fast — we often see people who are not taking their medication correctly and it causes serious problems.”
At the Aster Clinic in Bur Dubai, medics said overeating was a common trigger for health problems.
“Fasting during Ramadan is good for health, but people must be cautious about the food they take during the suhoor and iftar meals,” said Dr Nasrullah Jakhrani, an internal medicine specialist.