Ramzan approaching: Doctors recommend new diet charts for patients

[LahoreEstate]

ISLAMABAD: With Ramazan just a week away, doctors have advised people, especially patients, to prepare new diet charts in such a way that fasting doesn’t have a negative bearing on their health. Dr Waseem Khwaja, of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), told Daily Times on Sunday that patients should consult doctors on change in dosage schedule for the month of fasting. He said intake of medicine by patients, especially diabetics, before Sehri and after Iftar should be duly approved by doctors. Another physician said diabetic patients taking oral drug more than once a day should take a low dosage immediately after Iftar and 30 minutes before Sehri. He also advised patients on insulin to adapt dosage schedule for Ramazan in consultation with a diabetologist. According to Dr Maqbool Ahmed, of Family Health Hospital, as people fast for most of the day, they should eat slow digesting foods so as to have a consistent amount of energy throughout the day. He said people, especially patients, should take balanced food before fasting. He advised patients to avoid fried food for causing indigestion, heartburn and weight problems. Dr Noor, of PIMS, said less intake of caffeine during working hours, people habituated to drinking coffee or tea might suffer from headache, dizziness, fatigue and nausea during the first week of Ramazan. He said people could minimise or avoid such problems by drinking lighter brews and gradually reducing caffeine intake much before the month of fasting began. He said Ramazan was an ideal time to give up smoking once and for all. mahtab bashir

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