Ramadan:12 ways to cope with ulcer during Ramadan fast

Ramadan:12 ways to cope with ulcer during Ramadan fast

As Muslims all over the world continue the annual Ramadan fast which started last Saturday,it is imperative to remember that there are some health issues that pop up and manifest from the body as a result of people not eating at the regular hours.

THECONSCIENCENG writes that while a lot of Muslims are happy that Ramadan is here, some with one or two health issues may find it difficult to fast and as such not happy.

One of the health conditions that may cause Muslims to worry is Ulcer.

Ulcer disease usually attacks the stomach. In medical term, it is called gastritis or stomach inflammation.

Gastritis or stomach ulcers can be caused by many factors including food, stress, smoking, consumption of drugs, long term use of pain killers, and excessive consumption of fatty, acidic, spicy foods and bacterial infections.

Unhealthy foods and bacteria that enter the digestive system can stimulate the production of excess stomach acid and when the stomach is empty then this stomach acid can injure the stomach wall and cause ulcer disease.

People with ulcer suffer from burning sensation in the stomach, heart burn, loss of appetite, excessive production of stomach acid, and haemoptysis.

Ulcer severity and pain increases during prolonged periods of fasting. That is why during Ramadan, the severity and the pain will become worse.

If you have a peptic ulcer, your ability to fast during the holy month depends on a number of factors including severity of the ulcer, type of ulcer, and the timing and type of food you eat.

Here are some tips on how to manage Ulcer during Ramadan:

1. Do not miss Sahur
2. Avoid sleeping after dawn
3. Eat sufficiently during fast-breaking
4. Eat three or four hours before bedtime
5. Reduce spicy, sour and oily foods
6. Avoid caffeine consumption
7. Increase the consumption of water during Sahur
8. Avoid consumption of fizzy drinks excessively.
9. Substitute non-steroidal pain killers with paracetamol.
10. Do not lay down after eating for at least three hours especially after Sahur.
11. Light to medium work out after eating a meal, such as a 10 minute walk.
12. Lifting your head while sleeping using a pillow to stop stomach acid from going up the esophagus.