One can feel the full benefits of fasting if one does it regularly for an extended period, such as a month during Ramadan, and accompanies it with a healthy diet while breaking the fast and maintaining adequate rest patterns and stress levels. On the contrary, if one consumes excessive food while breaking the fast and the food lacks nutritional balance, such as high sugar, high fat, low fiber, and so on, we cannot achieve those benefits.
Before fasting, we should also ensure that our body has no issue with no food and drink consumption for over 12 hours every day. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are among the health issues to consider before starting a fast. For those with severe hypertension, lack of electrolyte consumption because of fasting could increase the risk of heart arrhythmia, i.e., an irregular heartbeat. In addition, for those with certain types of diabetes (e.g., type 2 diabetes), fasting may result in potentially fatal hypoglycemia.
Clinical Nutrition Specialist at RS Pondok Indah Jakarta, dr. Juwalita Surapsari, Sp.GK, M.Gizi, emphasized the importance of regularly measuring blood pressure and blood sugar levels during Ramadan. “Blood pressure and blood sugar measurements during Ramadan must be done regularly, to accurately determine the condition of blood pressure and blood sugar levels and avoid unwanted things happening, such as hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Well-recorded measurement results will make it easier for patients, patient’s families and medical personnel to administer appropriate treatment if things go wrong,” she said at the “Breaking The Fast with Omron” media briefing held on Thursday (30/3/2023).
At the same occasion, Tomoaki Watanabe, Director of Omron Healthcare Indonesia, stated that people with a high risk of hypertension and diabetes should measure their blood pressure and blood sugar levels before deciding to fast each day during Ramadan “Measuring blood pressure and other vitals can be done independently at home, using clinically tested and widely used medical tools,” he concluded.
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However, dr. Juwalita stressed vigilance if you experience severe headaches or fever, nausea, vomiting, excessive thirst, infrequent urination or dark-colored urine, or experience blackouts. “Pregnant women, especially the first trimester, should consult a doctor before deciding to fast, as well as pregnant women who feel their fetal movement is reduced or they have abdominal pain, such as contractions,” she added. (est)
