Parents have been urged to keep their young fasting children from sun exposure to avoid dehydration, a problem usually reported by field workers during hot summer season when the day temperature in the capital and most parts of the Kingdom hovers around 40 degree Centigrade and above. Dr. Abdul Azeez Zubair Kunju, a Resident Doctor at a Primary Healthcare Center under Ministry of Health, said fasting people should take precautions, particularly the young children, pregnant women (with health complications) and chronically ill patients. Dr. Kunju said his clinic has been receiving cases with complaints of dizziness, a first symptom of dehydration, which usually occurs among people exposed to sun or those who don't consume lots of water after Iftar or during Suhoor (pre-dawn meals). It is advisable for a person to drink at least eight to 10 glasses of water every day, particularly in hot summer season,” he said. As the schools are closed the children have the tendency to go outside and play. The parents should take care and ensure that their fasting children are not exposed to the sun, he said. He said the second category of people who need medical counseling before fasting would be pregnant women (with health disorders) and people with chronic health disorders such as insulin-dependent diabetics and those with cardiovascular, renal and liver problems. Pregnant women, with pregnancy related symptoms such as frequent vomiting, giddiness and hearthburn should not fast. Pregnant women, diabetics and those with renal or liver disorders or with bronchial asthma that required recurring nebulizer therapy should seek medical advice before deciding to fast in Ramadan, he said. Dr. Kunju said fasting has proven health benefits for a normal human body. Fasting improves the immune system of the body with overall advantage to general health. “The fasting persons feel more energetic,” he said. However, to stay healthy during Ramadan, particularly when one has to fast in hot summer season, it is better to drink plenty of water and take meals based on complex carbohydrates so that the food lasts longer. Drinking too much tea during meals between Iftar and Suhoor would tend the human body to pass more urine resulting in the loss of valuable mineral salts that a person needs while fasting from dawn to dusk, he said. After Iftar the people should take slow meals instead of eating large portions at one single time. Overeating and fatty, spicy and oily foods should be avoided, he said. He said dates are excellent source of sugar, fibre, carbohydrates, potassium and magnesium while almonds are rich in protein and fibre with less fat. People should take more fruits at Iftar time, he said. Drinking plenty of water or fruit juices between Iftar and bedtime will allow the body to adjust the fluid levels, he said.
