According to healthline - Ulcer relapse during fasting is one of the most common complaints. This happens because there is a significant change in diet. However, there is no need to worry because you can do some tips so that your stomach still feels comfortable even though you are fasting.
Can people with ulcers fast?
There are many benefits of fasting during Ramadan. However, fasting can be a challenge for people with digestive disorders, such as stomach ulcers or GERD. This condition generally occurs due to changes in diet.
Actually, anyone can do fasting including those of you with stomach ulcers.
Ulcer sufferers can still fast, but need to be more careful because eating habits will certainly change. So the body also needs time to adapt to a new diet.
For more details, consult a doctor whether your condition is allowed to fast or not.
Tips to prevent ulcers from recurring while fasting
Quoting the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of heartburn are characterized by an uncomfortable feeling of fullness after eating, upper abdominal bloating and burning, nausea, and getting full faster.
Usually, heartburn appears during the day or at night after breaking the fast.
To prevent stomach ulcers during fasting, here are some tips that you can do:
1. Do not eat excessive portions
One way to prevent gastritis during fasting is to pay attention to the portion of food you eat at dawn and iftar. After fasting all day, you might overeat when iftar time comes.
In fact, eating a lot at once can make the stomach too full, bloated, and ulcers occur. Especially, if the stomach is completely empty beforehand.
To prevent stomach ulcers when fasting, start with light meals first before eating heavy meals when breaking the fast. Start iftar with fruit or cake, then eat a heavy meal after tarawih.
That way, you not only prevent heartburn, but can also prevent weight gain during fasting due to overeating.
2. Chew your food slowly
Some people may eat in a hurry when breaking their fast or suhoor.
However, did you know that eating habits can actually trigger stomach ulcers?
Chewing food too quickly can allow a lot of air to enter the digestive tract, resulting in bloating and heartburn symptoms.
To prevent this, try to chew your food properly and slowly while fasting. This method also helps the stomach work lighter in digesting food.
3. Choose the right food and drink
If you already have stomach ulcers, choose foods that are safe for stomach ulcers during suhoor and iftar, so that the symptoms do not recur.
Some foods that you can eat include:
High-fiber foods, such as oatmeal, brown rice, whole grains, whole wheat bread, fruit, vegetables, or nuts.
Low-fat foods, such as lean beef, fish, and skinless chicken (especially chicken breast).
Foods that contain probiotics, such as yogurt, tempeh, tofu, miso, and kimchi.
Non-acidic fruits, such as bananas, pears, apples, and melons.
4. Avoid foods and drinks that can trigger ulcer symptoms
During sahur and iftar, stay away from foods and drinks that can irritate the stomach, so that it can trigger ulcers, such as:
Acidic foods, such as oranges, lemons, and tomatoes, both in fruit and juice form
Spicy food
Fatty foods, such as rendang, fried foods, and vegetable stews
Soft drinks
Chocolate and mint
Caffeine-containing drinks such as coffee
In addition to causing ulcers, these foodstuffs can also increase the risk of acid reflux.
5. Take ulcer medication appropriately
If necessary, you need to know the schedule for taking ulcer medication during fasting so that the symptoms do not recur. These medications are generally taken before meals.
So, take your ulcer medication about 30 minutes before suhoor or a big meal during iftar.
When your doctor recommends taking ulcer medication 1-2 times a day, do this at suhoor and iftar.
If your ulcer medication needs to be taken 3-4 times per day, ask your doctor about this before the fasting month begins. The doctor may be able to replace it with another type of medicine.
If ulcer symptoms persist despite taking the appropriate medication schedule, consult your doctor again so that fasting can continue smoothly.
6. Don't sleep immediately after eating
Suhoor hours before dawn can make you sleepy and want to sleep again after eating. However, to prevent ulcers from recurring, you should not sleep immediately after eating.
Sleeping after eating can be one of the triggers of heartburn and stomach ulcers.
Ideally, you need to wait 2-3 hours after eating so that the food has been digested and flows from the stomach to the small intestine.
Alternatively, try sleeping with your head in a higher position. For example, supporting your head with two pillows or sleeping half-sitting. This can prevent food from rising back up the esophagus.
7. Avoid smoking and painkillers
Quitting smoking during Ramadan is one of the tips you can try to avoid ulcers during fasting. Smoking increases the risk of stomach ulcers and acid reflux (GERD).
In addition, taking painkillers (NSAIDs) regularly can also irritate an empty stomach during fasting. This increases the risk of stomach ulcers.
If you experience pain and need pain medication, ask your doctor first. Your doctor can provide you with stomach-safe painkillers.
8. Manage stress well
Restraining your emotions is one of the purposes of fasting. In addition to increasing rewards, controlling stress is also a tip to help prevent ulcers from recurring during fasting.
The reason is, severe stress can trigger stomach acid to increase and stomach ulcers to recur. Try to manage stress by resting, applying relaxation techniques, and doing things you enjoy.
If ulcer symptoms still appear, even though you have applied fasting tips for people with stomach ulcers, it's a good idea to see a doctor. With this, the doctor can provide the right way to overcome gastritis during fasting.
Do not delay seeing a doctor, if the symptoms of gastritis are getting worse and are accompanied by:
No appetite
Vomiting
Vomiting blood
Severe stomach pain
Weight loss for no apparent reason
Want to find out more about tips to prevent stomach ulcers during fasting?
Content created and supplied by: Sportyblitz (via Opera News )
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