Doctors call on public to avoid overindulging when breaking fast in holy month
Overeating at iftar and breaking fasts with unhealthy food could lead to trips to the hospital for many people during the holy month.
Doctors told The National how the UAE’s emergency departments are often inundated with people suffering from severe indigestion, caused by gorging on food after fasting through the day.
In some cases, overeating after fasting could have longerterm health implications.
“The habit of gorging on food too quickly when breaking fast leads to the most common complaint we get, which is indigestion, with some experiencing vomiting and reflux,” said Dr Zuhair Alsharafi, director of emergency medicine at Burjeel Medical City.
“This all comes from eating large amounts of food in a short period of time after fasting for many hours and shocking the body with lots of carbohydrates, as well as fat and unhealthy food.
“We see the majority of patients [during Ramadan] coming to the emergency room in the first two hours straight after iftar.”
Most of those patients have indigestion, he added.
Patients with underlying health conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, renal disease and migraine, as well as cancer patients on chemotherapy, are also a common sight in emergency rooms immediately after iftar.
Dr Alsharafi warned that patients with those conditions should take advice from doctors before fasting.
“This is where I see red flags. I’m talking about the patients with diabetes, cancer, renal disease and even those suffering from migraines, and pregnant patients,” he said.
“We have seen diabetics with hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia because they took their medications at the wrong times or took higher or lower doses than required.
“There were also cancer patients who presented themselves to the emergency department with nausea, vomiting and dehydration from fasting a few days after their chemotherapy session.
“Those with chronic diseases need to see a doctor, discuss their intake of their medications and establish a management plan during Ramadan.”
It is not only those with underlying health issues who are vulnerable to the effects of
overeating at iftar. “The general public need to adjust their diet into a healthier eating habits and healthier eating style to be more conscious of what they eat and the way they eat,” Dr Alsharafi said.
Identifying the right foods to eat to break your fast is crucial, said Dr Zaid Mohammed, head
of the emergency department at the Canadian Specialist Hospital in Dubai.
“After fasting for extended hours the human body is not prepared for a sudden influx of large quantities of food,” he said.
“Opt for meals that provide a balance of carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats, avoiding excessive consumption of rich and fatty foods.
“Eat slowly and mindfully to aid digestion and prevent overindulgence and drink adequate fluids during non-fasting hours to maintain hydration.”
Overeating can cause or exacerbate health issues including gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, leading to discomfort and oesophageal damage.
Eating too much can also stretch the stomach, causing bloating and a feeling of fullness that can be distressing after a day of fasting.
Dr Mohammed said people should break their fast with light, easily digestible foods and increase their intake gradually over the evening.
Although rare, there is a risk of acute pancreatitis from overeating, while failing to drink enough water during non-fasting hours can exacerbate digestive issues and affect overall well-being, he said.
Emergency departments are often inundated with people suffering from severe indigestion after gorging on food