Fasting for Kidney Patients During Ramadan: When is it Safe and When Can It Be Dan.. gerous?
As Ramadan approaches, many kidney patients wonder whether they can fast without risking health complications. This decision should be made under the supervision of a specialist doctor, as the impact of fasting varies depending on the patient’s condition, the severity of the disease, and kidney function. Therefore, it is essential to consult with the treating doctor to assess the patient’s health and determine whether fasting is safe or could pose a risk.
Kidney patients are classified into three categories based on their health status. The first category includes those with acute kidney failure, who are in a critical health condition that prevents them from fasting until kidney function improves and returns to normal.
The second category includes patients with chronic kidney disease, whose condition varies depending on the stage of the disease. Patients with stage 3 kidney failure or higher are generally advised not to fast, as their kidneys can no longer maintain fluid balance in the body, which can lead to serious complications such as acute kidney failure and permanent kidney function deterioration.
The third category includes patients undergoing dialysis, who receive blood dialysis several times a week. These patients can fast on days when they do not have dialysis sessions, as the procedure requires intravenous fluid administration, which breaks the fast. On the other hand, patients relying on peritoneal dialysis cannot fast, as the dialysis fluids contain nutrients that enter the body during the process.
For kidney transplant patients, fasting may be risky, as they need to take medications regularly at specific times to maintain their health stability. Additionally, dehydration can negatively affect the transplanted kidney, and many of these patients suffer from diabetes, which further complicates the issue of fasting. For this reason, it is advised that these patients consult their doctors regularly to assess their health and make an informed decision regarding fasting.
