Some of the following fasting tips for heartburn sufferers are expected to help heartburn sufferers to keep fasting smoothly. Know what needs to be done so that heartburn does not recur while fasting, recommendations for healthy food and drinks, and other healthy fasting tips.
Fasting Tips for Sufferers
Stomach ulcers (gastritis) are digestive disorders where there is inflammation in the lining of the stomach. The most common symptoms of stomach ulcers are abdominal pain, nausea, frequent belching, and a burning sensation after consuming certain foods or drinks.
Ulcer sufferers will have difficulty eating, have no appetite, and are at risk of losing weight drastically. Meanwhile, heartburn sufferers may find it difficult when fasting. Symptoms of heartburn recur when fasting may occur and interfere with fasting.
Nevertheless, balancing religious and health obligations must be implemented so that both of them run smoothly. Here are some fasting tips for ulcer sufferers:
1. Preparation before Fasting
Whether you have an ulcer or not, you should prepare before fasting. For example, a few days before fasting you have trained yourself to fast by adjusting the portion of food, eating schedule, and intake needed so that the body is not surprised when directly fasting later.
For patients with ulcers, you should also note the various types of foods that are good for you and which foods trigger stomach ulcers to relapse during fasting. In addition, you should consult a doctor at least one week before fasting. The doctor will give health advice during fasting that suits your condition.
2. Sahur Eating Guide
Ulcer sufferers should not skip eating sahur. If not, you might not be able to run fasting smoothly because gastritis sufferers will recur if your stomach is completely empty for a longer period of time.
At dawn, prioritize the consumption of carbohydrate foods or foods that are slow to digest food. Carbohydrates such as rice, pasta or bread can store energy while you are fasting so your stomach isn’t empty. You are also advised to drink one glass of milk to prevent stomach ulcers from recurring during fasting.
After that, do not eat in a hurry or immediately eat large portions. Eat slowly so that the stomach more easily digest food. Then, do not go to sleep immediately after eating the meal because it will cause acid reflux to rise. Give the body time to digest food properly.
Also Read: Ulcer Recurrence During Fasting: Causes, Prevention, and How to Overcome (Complete)
3. Food Tips for Iftar
Don’t overeat when breaking the fast because it will trigger dyspepsia and acid reflux to rise. It is better, after breaking the fast immediately eat in small portions or medium portions. You can drink warm tea or water and dates, then continue heavy food after prayer.
It is recommended to consume foods that are good for heartburn sufferers such as fruits, vegetables, and foods high in antioxidants. In addition, consumption of foods that can fight the H. pylori bacteria that cause gastritis such as cauliflower, turnips, strawberries, blueberries, turmeric, and herbs that have anti-inflammatory properties.
Avoid breaking the fast with caffeine, soda, juice drinks from high-acid fruit, spicy foods, and fried foods. Break your fast with foods high in fiber, low in fat, and probiotic drinks. Meet the fluid needs after breaking the fast or the duration between breaking the fast and bedtime.
4. Avoid foods that trigger recurrence of gastritis
Whether you’re fasting or not, heartburn sufferers should not eat foods that trigger stomach ulcers like:
- Spicy food
- Sour food
- Fried
- Caffeine
- Fatty food
- Carbonated drinks
- Processed food
Do not break the fast with food or drink because it will trigger reflux of stomach acid to rise quickly.
5. Don’t overeat
One common problem when breaking the fast is that all the food looks good so you might overeat. This is not recommended because it is not good for health and seems to reduce the meaning of fasting.
It is better to maximize to eat in small portions but often outside of fasting hours, when breaking the fast until dawn. Eating large portions and quickly will increase stomach acid production. As a result, ulcers may recur after breaking the fast.
Also Read: 5 Tips to Maintain Endurance When Fasting to Stay Healthy
6. Meet liquid needs
Fasting doesn’t mean you can’t drink 1.5-2 liters of water to meet the recommended fluid requirements. Make sure you still meet your fluid needs during fasting after breaking the fast until dawn. You are encouraged to drink water, drinks containing potassium, or non-acidic fruit juice.
7. Choose the Right Type of Food
Tips for fasting for ulcer sufferers next is to choose the right type of food, both for dawn or breaking the fast. What foods are good for heartburn sufferers?
- Foods that are high in protein and fiber like almonds.
- Foods that are rich in magnesium, potassium, and carbohydrates such as bananas.
- Baked goods rather than fried.
- Foods that don’t trigger stomach acid, such as herbal teas, berries , honey, etc.
If you already have a record of what foods are safe during fasting, then choose these foods. If not, you can further consult with your doctor about your heartburn history.
8. Guidelines for Taking Ulcer Medication
Medications commonly used to treat ulcers are antacids, H2 antagonists, and proton pumps. If you use drugs without a prescription or over the counter (OTC) medicine , you should ask your doctor for advice if you want to use it during fasting.
If you are in an ulcer patient who is using a long-term heartburn drug or is suffering from a more severe heartburn, you should consult a doctor before fasting. The use of ulcer drugs that are not according to needs and indications will trigger more severe stomach irritation.
9. Don’t smoke
Smoking is associated as a trigger for recurrence of an ulcer and increases the risk of peptic ulcers, which is an injury to the stomach. If you are a smoker and also have stomach disease, you should not smoke at all after breaking the fast. Not smoking in the long run will help cure stomach conditions.
10. Consult a Doctor
Mild ulcer sufferers can still undergo fasting. Based on research, fasting is associated with an increase in symptoms and complications of gastritis and gastric ulcer disease. Nevertheless, the risk of heartburn recurring during fasting can be managed with proper care and prevention.
Based on other studies, fasting ulcer patients tend to experience increased levels of gastric acidity in the afternoon. You should be aware of stomach ulcers relapse during fasting. In more serious conditions, consult a doctor whether it is safe to fast in certain medical conditions.
Also Read: 17 Benefits of Fasting for Health, Making Youthful to Prevent Cancer!
What Must Avoid Ulcer Sufferers When Fasting
Avoid some of these foods and drinks to prevent the risk of heartburn recurring during fasting, namely:
- Caffeinated drinks
- Carbonated drinks
- Mint tea, green tea and black tea
- Any type of orange juice
- Tomato Products
- Chocolate
- Processed meat
- Red meat
- Dry food
- Salty food
- Smoked or marinated foods
- Fatty food
That’s the fasting tips for ulcer sufferers. Ulcer sufferers can still carry out fasting worship smoothly without stomach upset when following these health tips. I hope this information is helpful.
