Dr. Moataz Derbala, Senior Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist at Hamad Medical Corporation, confirmed that the majority of liver patients with stable conditions can fast Ramadan without possible complications, but he stressed that some cases in which the patient should not fast are patients with viral hepatitis. Acute, patients with esophageal varices, ascites, and hepatic coma.
Regarding the classification of liver patients with regard to fasting, Dr. Derbala told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that there are severe disease cases, such as acute viral hepatitis of types (A, B, and C), and those who are prevented from fasting.
As for stable chronic conditions such as virus cases, hepatitis, liver dysfunction, or people with fat on the liver, these patients can fast, and fasting may be beneficial for them, as it helps burn these fats.
Dr. Moataz Derbala added that those with chronic conditions, but in late stages of the disease, such as patients with esophageal varices and ascites, hepatic coma, and patients with chronic liver disease accompanied by diabetes, it is desirable for them to break their fast from a medical point of view, just as patients with immune disorders of the liver, hereditary liver diseases and liver diseases since childhood And those infected with hepatitis B and C virus, they can fast, but after consulting the attending physician first.
He pointed out the importance of following the healthy eating habits of a liver patient in Ramadan, as it is important to choose the type of foods that do not harm the health of the liver patient, and perhaps Ramadan is an opportunity to organize food and meal times, so the fasting patient is advised to start his breakfast with a light sugary drink, and take a short period of rest to pray. Morocco, then back to breakfast.
He advised that the meal should include starches, sugars, and proteins, and that the amount of fat should be reduced to a minimum, especially for patients with fat on the liver. And a liver patient must eat a balanced diet that includes all food groups such as grains, fruits, vegetables, meat, beans, milk and oil, and eat food that contains fiber because it helps the liver to work at an optimal level, so fruits, vegetables, whole grain bread, rice and cereals can take care of the body’s needs for fiber. In addition, you should drink plenty of water as it prevents dehydration and helps the liver work better. Regarding the fasting of patients who underwent a liver transplant, Dr. Derbala clarifies that these patients have a special status. During the first year after completing the liver transplant, they cannot fast for medical reasons. However, after the first year has passed, the patient must consult his doctor before fasting to ensure the condition of the transplanted liver, as fasting is acceptable. One year after the transplant, provided that the attending physician is reviewed first. The fasting liver patient can regulate the doses of his medications, and for patients who are treated with tablets, they can take the doses at breakfast and suhoor, and for liver transplant patients who are allowed to fast according to the conditions described, they take medicines that stabilize the transplanted liver at breakfast and suhoor. As for patients who take diuretic drugs or drugs to treat esophageal varicose veins, Dr. Derbala explained that there is a medical rule that says that these people cannot fast, as the time for taking medications cannot be redistributed, and medications cannot be prevented from them, just as liver patients with other associated diseases Such as pressure, diabetes or asthma, they need to see a doctor in order to organize appointments for taking medications in Ramadan. Regarding the emergency situations that a liver patient may face while fasting, he indicates that if the condition of the liver patient is stable and not advanced, he will not face troubles during fasting, and there are common troubles in some patients, as they start with dizziness, and then yellowing may appear on the patient, and here he advises The patient breakfasted. As for smokers with liver disease, he stressed that smoking causes other diseases in addition to their liver disease, and therefore these diseases arising from smoking may prevent the patient from taking important medications to treat the liver, and fasting remains a favorable opportunity to stop and refrain from smoking for life.
