Dear Readers,
The Campaign for Responsible Fasting has Started.
For past two years, I’ve blogged about Eating Disorder Fasting and Ramadan Fasting.
You can Read about the two types of Fasts Here: Ramadan Fasting Vs. Eating Disorder Fasting
This year theme is Responsible Fasting: Taking Personal Responsibility Accountability for One’s Health and Well-Being.
A Message From Frank from UK (Second most visitor to this blog after US of A are from UK). I am grateful for his message.
The problem with Eating Disorders (not just in Muslim countries but across the world) is that people do not take them seriously. Eating Disorders are difficult, and sometimes even more difficult, than physical illnesses because the symptoms can go unnoticed or unrecognized. But ignoring this mental illness won’t make it go away. Ramadan a month of blessings becomes a challenge, because Eating Disorders and Weight loss have become an obsession, and this obsession carries right into the month of Ramadan.
Ramadan Campaign. Fast Responsibly.
The length of fasts for next several years is very long (17 hours or more in the UK alone). For people who suffer from Eating Disorders, long fasts can cause physical complications, a very ill health and can put an individual at higher risk of hypoglycaemia and dehydration. Muslims are required to fast but there’s an exception to this rule: people who are ill or have medical conditions do not have to fast. This includes people with Eating Disorders. To find out more about this, you can speak to your Doctor and Imam.
Anorexia Nervosa, What can a 17 Hour Fast Can do to your Body?
In anorexia nervosa’s cycle of self-starvation, the body is denied the essential nutrients it needs to function normally. Thus the body is forced to slow down all of its processes to conserve energy, resulting in serious medical consequences, such as slow heart rate and low blood pressure, which mean that the heart muscle is changing. The risk for heart failure rises as the heart rate and blood pressure levels sink lower and lower.
Dr Ann Coxon, Consultant Physician at Harley Street on ramadan fasting
Quotes on Fasting in Ramadan: Taken From Healthy Muslim in Ramadan: Episode 3- Illnesses that Prevent Fasting.
Dr Ann Coxon has been a physician for over 50 years now. She’s a pioneer in her field. She is our voice for this Ramadan of the necessity for good health.
Dr Ann Coxon talks about conditions that make it impossible for you to fast during the month of Ramadan.
“Fasting is incumbent on any healthy Person, but there are circumstances when a person cannot fast”.
“Fasting is a positive thing to do and should not act as a punishment”.
“Fasting is Not a Super Diet”.
“You’re not expected to harm your body by fasting and you’ll get the benefit of the fast, because it was intended for you.”
“Please take advice from your doctor and from your religious scholar and Imam before you make your decision to fast”.
“There are conditions where your doctor will say to you, I’m sorry you cannot fast at all, because you’ll get very sick through the day.”
“You must not put yourself or other people in harm’s way”
“Obviously any acute illness of a severity which requires you to take medicine or which would make it harmful for you to not to have water and food, any acute illness, whatever kind, means that you may not fast.”
responsible fasting
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) ‘Your Body has a Right Over You’.
“Fasting should not be intended to harm us. At end of the day, we must treasure our bodies, because they are a great gift from Allah and we must not harm them.” Dr Ann Coxon.
Whether you decide to fast or not, learn about your condition and what you can do to stay as healthy as possible this Ramadan.
Going to doctors before ramadan?
While you need to take charge, it doesn’t mean you need to do it alone. We all need help sometimes.
Take a trusted relative or friend to a doctor’s appointment to act as another set of ears and to write down what is said.
If you are referred to ED unit, enlist the help of trusted relatives or friends to help . Many hospitals/units offer social workers, patient advocates, and other services to provide support and guidance.
If you are diagnosed, you may find it helpful to join a support group in your community or online.
Beat the Ego- Kick The Demon in back and follow the plan that you and your medical home team have agreed is important for your health. If you have questions, ask!
Don’t Forget: A treatment can better a sufferer’s quality of life exponentially. Ignoring mental illness will not make it go away.
“You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality.”
Ayn Rand
Please Watch Our Video on Ramadan Fasting. Made by Alin Cretu from Romania.
Download Here: A Guide to Healthy Fasting
Islam and Eating Disorders 