Ramadan end marks increase in gastric-related cases

Abu Dhabi - Doctor says fasting for long periods during Ramadan can cause the stomach to shrink by up to 10 per cent.

Eid Al Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, but it has also marked a rise in the number of patients with gastric problems in UAE hospitals.
"Yes, we do, and have, seen a rise in gastric-related cases during the Eid weekend but they are not always due to over-eating," Abu Dhabi-based consultant physician and gastroenterologist, Dr Nigel Beejay told Khaleej Times.
He said fasting for long periods during Ramadan can cause the stomach to shrink by up to 10 per cent.
When the body gets used to this pattern of eating during Ramadan and then suddenly goes back to a normal eating pattern, gastric problems usually arise.
"People get bloated a lot quicker. Heartburn (acid reflux) is common too," he said.
Speaking from the Advanced Centre For Daycare Surgery in Abu Dhabi on Monday, Dr Beejay had already carried out three gastric-related procedures that day and had a clinic "full of patients".
Estimating the rise in gastric-related problems at about 40 per cent directly following Ramadan, Dr Beejay categorised the types of cases commonly seen across the UAE's clinics and hospitals.
"Firstly, some gastric problems require a medical procedure as treatment. During Ramadan, fasting patients delay their procedures to be done post Eid to prevent them breaking their fast by undergoing endoscopy or receiving medication."
As a result, there tends to be an influx of this patient group coming for treatment following Ramadan and Eid, he said.
And Specialist Gastroenterologist at Aster Medical Centre, Dr Jayakumar Kannan, agreed.
"During Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr all are busy with celebrations, therefore, the majority of people tend to avoid visiting hospitals. But in the week following Eid, patient visits increase by 30-40 per cent."
Though Dr Kannan said he has not treated any one particular demographic in his clinic, young people tend to "become more symptomatic", he said.
"Common presentations in our clinic is dyspepsia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bloating."
The second group of patients seen visiting clinics are those coming in with stomach shrinking that occurs due to fasting, Dr Beejay said.
Lastly, are the overeaters. These are the most commonly seen patients, he said.
"We see more of this last group. During Ramadan, a large proportion of patients eat excessively after opening the fast at dusk. They often compensate for the long fasting hours by over-eating both after dusk every day and during the Eid Al Fitr celebrations."
In addition, people tend to eat food high in sugar and fat content, which commonly cause acid reflux, bloating and causes an upset tummy.
Dr Kannan said the change in food behaviour during Ramadan effects the body rhythm or circadian rhythm.
"The body then finds it difficult to adjust, hence the onset of such symptoms."
Interestingly, the detection of food intolerances tends to increase following the end of Ramadan too.
"As well as treating symptoms like acid reflux, weight gain and bloating, we often diagnose new diseases like coeliac disease during this time too. To avoid suffering from such diseases, people should avoid eating food with excessive calories and those that are high in sugar and fat content," Dr Beejay said. - kelly@khaleejtimes.com