Ramadan Fasting:
Ramadan is the most sacred month of the Islamic calendar that brings immense Ajar for fasting Muslims. Every Muslim is required to fast from dawn till dusk for 29 or 30 days during the month of Ramadan. Patients, minors, pregnant and nursing mothers, and psychologically unstable are exempted from fasting. Studies showed no significant ill effect of fasting upon liver transplant recipients. In fact, biochemistry and liver enzymes appear to at the same level pre and post-Ramadan. Only serum bilirubin observed to slightly elevated during fasting but that too returns to normal after a carbohydrate-rich meal. The decision of whether to fast or not dependent upon individual patient’s underlying health condition and consideration of transplant physicians.
Introduction:
Muslims all over the world follow strict abstinence from any fluid, food intake, and any sexual activity. Fasting observed from dawn till dusk for 29 or 30 days. Ramadan Fardh and carries an immense reward. but patients, minors, pregnant and nursing mothers and psychologically unstable are exempted from fasting. if their physician advises them not to do so. The same rules for travelers if they choose not to fast then they allowed.
No doubt Ramdan carries immense religious, psychological, and physical benefits. But if there strong evidence that fasting during Ramadan may deteriorate the patient’s condition. Increase illness, or can cause any sort of harm, then not fasting only permissible but also the best practice according to sharia. Islam does not allow any self-harm.
During Ramadan Fasting thoroughly researched and widely debated for kidney transplant recipients but unfortunately for liver transplant recipients. the data still not very widely available. There a few recent research studies particularity aiming at liver transplant patients (most notably recent research of Qatar University) but none of them can provide strong enough foundation to arrive at any final conclusion. These research studies termed preliminary at the most.
Here discuss how fasting during Ramadan affects liver transplant recipients and living donors.
Liver Transplant Recipients and Ramadan Fasting:
Before considering fasting for liver transplant recipients few things must be kept in mind. First and foremost, liver transplant outcome highly specific and one model never fit for all. Second liver transplant recipients may have other underlying conditions that affect their overall health and the decision to observe fasting during Ramadan. Third, every liver transplant patient should individually monitored. and if he/she wish to fast. the decision was taken by their transplant physician.
There a lack of comprehensive data regarding the effects of intermittent fasting in liver transplant recipients. Recently research studies emerging that show fasting no significant impact on the overall health of liver transplant recipients.
According to recent research;
- In stable allograft patients without any underlying disease fasting does not cause any negatives effects.
- Liver enzymes, biochemistry, and all other factors have been found to almost identical pre and post fasting.
- As the total calorie intake remain uniform before during and after Ramadan, no significant weight loss observed. BMIs reported decreasing so patients with fatty liver disease may actually benefit from fasting.
- Patients of liver cirrhosis advised avoiding fasting.
- Serum bilirubin level might slightly increase in liver recipients but it returns to normal after Iftar with enough carbohydrates intake.
- If liver transplant recipients wish to fast during Ramadan it advised increasing protein intake.
- Last but not least consult your transplant surgeon before taking any decision. Whether you may fast or not dependent upon your very specific health condition and only your physician is in the position to guide you prior to making any choices.
- Immunosuppressive medication dosage needs not adjusted during Ramadan. Patients have actually shown better drug compliance during Ramadan.
Ramadan Fasting for Living-donors:
Healthy liver donors do not need to take extra precautions during Ramadan. The liver size has grown back to normal size then it perfectly ok to observe fasting during Ramadan. donor wants to donate liver in the coming months after Ramadan then not fasting might be suggested to preserve the size of the liver.
If you need any further assistance reach to us at
Dr. Faisal Dar (Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute, Lahore)
Call us at: 0341–0543883, 042-111 117 554
Email us at info@faisaldar.com