Ramadan Fasting and Kidney Disease
Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar year and the only one mentioned by name in the Qur’an. It is also a holy month of worship, study of the Quran, prayer, and fasting. It occurs during the month in which the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Ramadan is intrinsically linked to the observance of the fourth of the five pillars of Islam, the practice of obligatory fasting (sawm, sometimes siyyam), before the Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him) and his companions were forced to flee Makkah and settle in Madinah.
Fasting is perfectly in line with this approach, which leads one to make a constant effort to fight against his weaknesses and passions, to constantly improve, and to become totally humanized. The principle of fasting is linked to that of self-control. It is the affirmation of one’s will and freedom in relation to himself and his immediate desire to satisfy his basic needs. It is also the bond of solidarity with the hungry, who must be helped to escape their destitution and misery.
Fasting is always a personal choice; however, if you have kidney disease, it is vital that you talk to your kidney team before fasting. They can help you to better understand any risks to your health and to develop a plan to fast safely if this is an option for you. According to the U.S. National Academies of Sciences and Medicine, an adequate daily fluid intake is about 15.5 cups (3.7 litres) of fluids a day for men, and approximately 11.5 cups (2.7 litres) of fluids a day for women. Therefore, we wanted to give extra information about Ramadan fasting and advice for those who suffer from kidney diseases. One must consult doctors and healthcare professionals to determine whether fasting affects chronic kidney disease, and whether one’s health permits fasting.
