7 Things to Consider for Anemia Patients When Fasting

Kapanlagi.com - If you have anemia, then when fasting you should at least know what needs to be prepared in order to carry out fasting smoothly.

Indeed, anemia cannot be taken lightly. Especially when fasting like this. Therefore, you need to pay attention to several things.

Anemia itself occurs because red blood cells or medically known as hemoglobin are very small, so the cells in our body do not get enough oxygen. And if this happens, it will cause symptoms of dizziness, headache, weakness, and fatigue.

If this happens, it will make it difficult for you to carry out fasting in Ramadan. Therefore, according to various sources, here are the things to consider when fasting for anemia patients, so that fasting can go smoothly.

1. Consultation with a Doctor

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The first and most fundamental thing for fasting for anemia patients is to consult with a doctor. This is important to do because by consulting with an expert, we will know what needs to be done and what medication needs to be consumed. You also need to know whether it is safe for you to fast with such a condition.

If you are taking medications to help manage anemia, consulting with a doctor is important. You should ask whether the prescription or the timing of medication changes during fasting. Therefore, consulting with a doctor is the first thing that can be done before starting the Ramadan fasting.

2. Mandatory Pre-Dawn Meal (Sahur)

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The next thing for fasting for anemia patients is the mandatory pre-dawn meal (sahur). If you have a weak condition, sahur is a necessary thing to do. You should also try to have a calm sahur without rushing due to being late because consuming sufficient nutrition during sahur is very important for a full day's intake while fasting.

And remember, do not consume excessively during sahur. Do it in moderation but with nutritious food because overeating will disrupt digestion. And if that happens, you will experience an increase in body fat. And of course, that is not good to do.

3. Balanced Nutrient Intake

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This is an important part for those of you who experience anemia, which is providing a balanced nutrient intake for the body. For anemia sufferers, consuming iron is a must, because iron is an important component in forming red blood cells. That's why consuming foods that contain iron is highly recommended during iftar and suhoor.

You can consume nuts, red meat, oysters, tuna or salmon, potatoes, tofu, and many more. You are also advised to consume foods that are high in fiber, because it can provide a long-lasting feeling of fullness.

Not only that, high-fiber foods can also provide us with enough energy to carry out daily activities. But don't overdo it, KLovers, because excessive activity is not good for anemia sufferers.

4. Avoid Caffeine and Soda Drinks

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The next fasting rule for anemia sufferers is to avoid caffeine and soda drinks. Why is that? For caffeine drinks, if we drink them during suhoor or iftar, it will trigger a diuretic effect, which means it can stimulate urine production and cause a lot of fluid to be expelled through urination.

For anemia sufferers who have symptoms of weakness, dizziness, and headaches, it can be very dangerous if you are dehydrated. Because someone who is dehydrated also experiences symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, dizziness, and headaches.

As for soda drinks, they can slow down the absorption of iron from the food we eat. The same goes for drinks that contain caffeine. If iron is not absorbed well in the body, the food we have consumed will be in vain. Therefore, avoid consuming drinks that contain caffeine and soda.

5. Sufficient Fluids in the Body

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Rather than consuming drinks that contain caffeine and soda, it would be better if you consume plenty of mineral water or ion drinks that can fulfill the fluids in the body. This is because body fluids will decrease very quickly when we fast. Of course, when we carry out daily activities, we will release a lot of fluids from our body, and that can be very dangerous for people with anemia.

The lack of water content in the body is also in line with the decrease in salt content in the body. Therefore, this can cause low blood pressure accompanied by dehydration. Therefore, consume mineral water or ion drinks when breaking the fast, sleeping, and also during suhoor with sufficient amount, don't let it be insufficient.

6. Consuming Supplements

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The next fasting practice is consuming supplements. Consuming additional supplements to overcome anemia that contain iron and vitamin B such as folic acid will certainly be very helpful. But it must still be in accordance with the doctor's advice, KLovers, don't just consume supplements without knowing the amount. Because consuming too much iron is also not good for the body. Therefore, consult with an expert.

7. Sufficient Rest

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And the last fasting advice for anemia sufferers is to get enough rest. According to nutritionist Hamadi, not all anemia patients have excessive iron deficiency. Instead, most of them have problems and difficulties in digesting iron in the body. Therefore, sufficient rest is the main thing that anemia patients should do to help improve iron absorption in the body.

In a study titled The Effects of Ramadan Fasting and Physical Activity on Blood Hematological-Biochemical Parameters, research was conducted on 26 men who were fasting, and the results showed a drastic decrease in hemoglobin or red blood cells in their bodies. This is due to several factors such as not consuming food, biological response to hunger, and daily activities during the month of Ramadan. Therefore, increasing rest and avoiding excessive activities for anemia patients would be beneficial in order to smoothly carry out fasting.

Those are the 7 fasting tips for anemia sufferers that can be done. Always consult a doctor, pay attention to food consumption, and get enough rest are the key things you can do while fasting during Ramadan in order to have a smooth and obstacle-free worship. Good luck.

(kpl/dhm)