As Ramadan comes to an end, the Muslim faithful’s will return to their normal routine. This means that the practice of eating only at dawn and at dusk will no longer hold. Abstaining food, drinks, and oral medications during the day will not be binding. It is however important to note that the body has adjusted to some changes in the course of fasting. Therefore, it is advisable to carry out some health checks. These post-Ramadan fasting rules are guidelines will help you maintain good health.
Ramadan fast is a type of sustained fasting that puts the body under stress. It is a daily intermittent fast occurring for 29 or 30 days.
After weeks of fasting consistently, it is helpful to assess your body functions particularly if you experienced some symptoms during the fast. You have to consult with your healthcare provider and run the required tests.
If you suffer from a chronic illness, it is recommended that you undergo a few relevant checks to confirm the status of your condition. After adhering to the Ramadan fasting rules, take some tests to screen if your health has been affected in any way.
Below are five medical tests that you should do after the month-long Ramadan fast.
Post-Ramadan Fasting Rules: 5 Health Tests to take after Ramadan
1. Peptic Ulcer Test
Peptic Ulcer Disease is characterized by wounds in the lining of the stomach or small intestine. It may also cause people to experience heartburn and indigestion. If you had any of the signs and symptoms of PUD, you should order a health check to be sure.
If you are a known PUD patient, you may want to consult your doctor and ensure that the fasting did not complicate your condition.
Eat your meal at the regular time; skipping meals can worsen the condition.
Choose healthy foods that are low in fat and acidity. Stay away from foods that could irritate your stomach, such as spicy, fried food and carbonated drinks.
Book a a Peptic Ulcer test here.
2. Heart Health Test
Fasting for long periods can affect body components and lead to changes in serum electrolyte intensity and osmolarity. In addition, fasting can lead to an electrolyte imbalance. All these can affect the proper functioning of the heart.
The heart ensures that blood, nutrients, and respiratory gasses reach all the organs of the body. If the heart becomes deficient, it cannot be affected in isolation. The entire body system will be
Symptoms like chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath in standing or lying positions, and swollen ankles are indications that you need to have your heart checked and tested.
Book a heart health test here.
3. COVID-19 Test
Normalcy may seem to have returned but COVID is not completely gone. . As long as the majority have not received their vaccine and herd immunity has not been achieved, you are still prone to contracting the infection.
Congregational prayers are common during the Ramadan period and even after (Eid day). This entails mingling with many people who may have symptomatic or asymptomatic COVID-19. In the process, the risk of spread is higher.
COVID is not an infection of the past, get yourself tested here. You should also ensure you go for your vaccine shot as soon as possible.
4. Diabetes Test
Fasting with Diabetes can be risky, especially for people with Type 1 Diabetes. It has several complications that may impact one’s health. That is why patients are generally advised not to participate in Ramadan fast.
However, if you are currently fasting, it is believed that you are complying with your medications and adjusting your diet and lifestyle. Remember that if you feel sick at any point, you should take a break from fasting until you are strong enough to continue.
When the month of Ramadan is over, there is a need to check your HBA1c and blood sugar levels.
5. General Health Checkup
Unlike the others, the general health test is recommended for everyone, whether you have a chronic disease or not. It is carried out to determine the current state of your health. This checkup examines certain vital organs to assess how well they are working. If they are functioning below their normal working condition, these tests will quickly reveal that and let you know the next steps to take. Below are some of the tests in the General Health Checkup;
Thyroid screening – This is a thyroid function test that checks for thyroid and thyroid-related issues and diseases.
- Liver function test – This test measures the level of important liver enzymes and proteins to diagnose liver disease and damage.
- Kidney function test –This test measures how efficiently the kidneys are removing waste from the blood. Any abnormal values may indicate renal disease or failure.
- Full Blood Count – This health check reveals the number of your blood cells. If above or below normal, this could suggest infections, anemia, and other serious health issues.
- Fasting blood sugar – This test reveals if you are diabetic or pre-diabetic.
- Total cholesterol profile – This test provides a breakdown of cholesterol in the blood. It shows you your total cholesterol level, LDL, and HDL. If your bad cholesterol is high, you are at risk of heart diseases and blood vessel diseases.
Book General health check here.
If there were any symptoms that bothered you while you were adhering to the Ramadan fasting rules, don’t forget about them because you feel better now. It is best to discuss it with your doctor and have it thoroughly investigated through health tests. If the results are clear, then you are fine. If not, you can get medical advice on the best way forward.
Book any of the recommended health tests to know your health status. Have your samples taken and get your results within 48 hours without leaving your house.
