Having a healthy Ramadan

As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, expected to begin on the evening of Friday 28 February or Saturday 1 March, Muslims across the region are being encouraged to stay as healthy as possible.

Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership has teamed up with the British Islamic Medical Association on providing some tips to help individuals prepare for Ramadan.

Dr Salman Waqar, GP and the former President of the British Islamic Medical Association, said: “The holy month of Ramadan is an exciting time for Muslims, we become busy with social gatherings, charitable deeds, and extra worship. To get the most out of these activities in the blessed month of Ramadan, we need to try and stay as healthy as possible.

“It is important that you try to stay active during Ramadan, like an evening walk to your local mosque or park, where possible. Don’t let Ramadan be a means of deconditioning the body to activity, especially for our elders as it’s much harder to lose if you don’t use it.

“If you have a long-term condition such as diabetes, kidney disease or high blood pressure and are thinking of fasting, please speak to a healthcare professional in the first instance and they will advise you on what to do.

“People with mental health conditions also respond in different ways in Ramadan; some find it helps and others really do struggle. Fasting can affect the absorption of medicines; a disruptive change in your sleeping pattern could cause a relapse; and fasting could be counterproductive for some people with eating disorders. Which is why it’s important for you talk to the people looking after you, like your community mental health team, and they will advise you on what you could do.

“During Ramadan, smoking or chewing tobacco will invalidate your fast. This is an opportunity for you to try and quitting, as all forms of tobacco increases our risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Some of you may decide to use nicotine skin patches, which may help during the day and majority of scholars say this does not invalidate your fast.

“Please remember this is a marathon with a sprint at the end, so it’s important to plan accordingly, minimise the harms, and gain the benefits.”

Anyone looking to stop smoking can get support from their local stop smoking services.

Dr Zoyah Hussain, GP in Keighley, said: “Many of us will have started to prepare for Ramadan and it’s important that we look after ourselves and our loved ones during the holy month. I would encourage you to have a well-balanced meal during Ramadan, this means including a variety of foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein and healthy fats in both suhoor (pre-dawn) and iftar (post-sunset).

“Anyone with a health condition must speak to a healthcare professional if they’re thinking of fasting. It doesn’t mean you can’t fast; the healthcare professional will be able to advise you and it might be that you need to take precautions like reviewing your medicines and monitoring for harmful situations as advised by a healthcare professional. It is important to remember that it’s not permissible to continue fasting if it puts your health at risk, and you may decide to provide a meal to the poor as an alternative.

“During Ramadan it is likely that you will have a disrupted sleeping pattern. Try to regulate your sleep pattern, like planning an adjusted sleep routine for Ramadan so that you’re sleeping and waking at around the same time every day, as this will help your body get into a rhythm. You might want to have a power nap for 20 minutes in the afternoon, as this can help to revive weakening energy and focus levels. Remember to set an alarm as over-sleeping can make you feel sleepier than before your nap.”

Here are some short videos that the partnership has developed with the British Islamic Medical Association on having a healthy Ramadan:

• Ramadan health benefits
• Ramadan: long term conditions and mental health conditions
• Top tips for a healthy Ramadan

Organisations that are looking to support their workforce during Ramadan, can visit the NHS Confederation website. There are guidance’s which both the public and private sectors can use.