UAE doctors warn of overeating at Iftar to avoid a trip to the hospital

UAE doctors warn of overeating at Iftar to avoid a trip to the hospital

Doctors in the United Arab Emirates are urging Muslims fasting this Ramadan to avoid overeating at Iftar and breaking the fast with high consumptions of unhealthy food.

Medical specialists told Al Arabiya English that hospitals each year see an influx of patients suffering from gastroenteric issues and stomach ulcers.

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During the holy month, medics said that they often see patients complaining of gastritis - an acute inflammation of the stomach - and gastroenteritis, often known as stomach flu, which is an infection of the stomach and intestines together resulting in vomiting or diarrhea. This can often put a strain on hospital resources, they said.

Archana Baju, a clinical dietician at Burjeel Hospital, said that after long hours of fasting, metabolism slows down and so while breaking the fast, it is very important to introduce food slowly, as this aids in easier digestion.

"It is quite obvious after fasting there is a tendency to feast and often, we grab a calorie dense meal loaded with sugar and fats,“ Baju said. "But overeating after fasting slows down the digestion and may lead to gastrointestinal difficulties such as indigestion, bloating and diarrhea and