Worshippers call it a 'night of solace', speak about how much comfort and peace they derive from these prayers
ramadan1 year ago
Imagine a meeting room full of top executives at a workplace. As you are brainstorming ideas, a fasting colleague tries to stifle a yawn several times. Another colleague’s stomach lets out an audible growl. How would you react?
Doctors in the UAE are calling on non-fasting residents to be mindful of the changes their fasting colleagues’ bodies go through during the holy month of Ramadan.
“The key is to be understanding, respectful, and accommodating of your colleagues who are fasting,” said Raghda Adi, a clinical dietitian at Medcare Hospital Sharjah.
“With a little bit of empathy and consideration, non-Muslims can help make fasting a more manageable experience for their fasting colleagues,” added Adi.
Zobia Amin, a clinical psychologist at RAK Hospital, advised non-fasting colleagues to be understanding and patient and not judge.
Excessive yawning and growling stomachs are among the ways human bodies react to abstaining from food and drink and an upended sleep cycle. Other ways include irritability, drowsiness/dizziness, headaches and fatigue.
For Ruba Elhourani, senior clinical dietician and head of the Nutrition Department at RAK Hospital, constipation and headaches are something she usually experiences at the beginning of Ramadan because of sudden dietary habit changes.
“Increasing activity levels and fluids throughout the night while adding fibre to both Iftar and Suhour has helped resolve the problem very fast,” she said.
“For headaches, I increase my fluids and reduce caffeine while avoiding saturated fats, fried food and sugar.”
Hala Youssef Hamdy, specialist endocrinologist at the hospital, said she mainly experiences headaches. “I try to sleep more hours, increase water intake and [drink] some coffee before sunrise,” she said.
Raghda Adi explained that a fasting person’s body goes into a state of energy conservation.
“Yawning is a reflexive action that is often associated with tiredness or boredom. However, it can also be a sign of a lack of oxygen in the body. During fasting, the body may experience a drop in blood sugar levels, which can cause the brain to receive less glucose, the primary source of energy. This can lead to feelings of tiredness, and the body may compensate for the lack of oxygen by triggering a yawn,” she explained.
Stomach growling, on the other hand, is caused by the movement of gas and fluids through the digestive system. “While fasting, the stomach may continue to produce digestive juices, but since there is no food to digest, the stomach may empty itself of these fluids. This can cause the walls of the stomach and intestines to contract and produce noise, which can be audible to others.”
For some, fasting can be a stressful experience. “Stress can cause the body to produce cortisol, a hormone that can increase the frequency of stomach growling,” said Adi.
Elhourani said headaches happen due to less fluids consumption during the day, caffeine intake during the night and changes in sleeping patterns.
“When a person is irregular in the hours of sleeping and eating, he eventually will experience tiredness and fatigue throughout the day,” she explained.
Raghda Adi highlighted how fasting can trigger a range of physiological changes in the body as it adjusts to the absence of food and drink, and how some of these are actually good for health.
According to Adi, to manage feelings of fatigue, weakness, and dizziness that may occur during fasting, it's important to stay well-hydrated and consume nutrient-dense foods during non-fasting hours. “This can help keep blood sugar levels stable and prevent fluctuations that may cause discomfort.”
To prevent dehydration, it's important to drink plenty of fluids, especially water, during and after a fast. “Avoid consuming sugary drinks, which can cause blood sugar spikes and crashes,” she added.
ALSO READ:
Worshippers call it a 'night of solace', speak about how much comfort and peace they derive from these prayers
ramadan1 year ago
Every year, authorities in various emirates earmark millions worth of funds for this initiative that seeks to support fixed-income earners
ramadan1 year ago
The endowment campaign, which received various contributions like land and corporate shares, will continue to welcome donations throughout the year
ramadan1 year ago
Over 180,000 people contributed to the drive, Vice-President says
ramadan1 year ago
Local fitness expert offers insights on the pros and cons of working out during Ramadan
ramadan1 year ago
Police officials worked round the clock to ensure public safety, while volunteers helped the elderly and the handicapped who had arrived at masjids to offer prayers past midnight
ramadan1 year ago
Everyone who took part in the weekly draws during Ramadan is automatically entered into the Golden Eid draw
ramadan1 year ago
Faisal Tirmizi, Pakistan's Ambassador to the UAE, said he had written to Sheikh Mohamed requesting their release
ramadan1 year ago