Causes of heartburn in Ramadan and heartburn after the pre-dawn meal

Arab Weather - Many people suffer in the holy month of Ramadan from the occurrence of heartburn and heartburn, and despite the multiple causes of heartburn in Ramadan, most of them are due to wrong practices by fasting people that cause severe stomach pain during fasting or stomach pain after eating.

The article reviews 9 of the most important causes of heartburn in Ramadan and their relationship to the occurrence of heartburn and heartburn in the holy month of Ramadan

Causes of heartburn in Ramadan

The wrong habits practiced by fasting people in the way of eating, speed of eating, or choosing unhealthy meals are among the most important causes of heartburn in Ramadan. In addition to the following common reasons:

Eat large quantities of food for breakfast and the pre-dawn meal

Eating large quantities of food in a short time is mainly the cause of stomach pain after breakfast in Ramadan, and also one of the most important causes of stomach acidity after Suhoor.

Eating large amounts of food at the time of Iftar in Ramadan causes the stomach to fill up in a short time and increases pressure on its walls, which leads to the reflux of acids and intestinal juices that are excreted by the stomach to complete the digestion process into the esophagus and thus the occurrence of acidity in the stomach.

Eating large quantities of food at the time of Iftar in Ramadan increases the time needed to complete the digestion of food, which causes stomach pain after eating in Ramadan for a period that may be long.

Eat fatty foods in large quantities

Fasting people increase the preparation of fat-filled meals in Ramadan, and fatty meals full of fat are among the causes of stomach acidity in Ramadan, as fats need a long time to be digested, which stimulates esophageal reflux and a feeling of heartburn and acidity.

Also, adding many spices to different foods is one of the causes of heartburn in Ramadan, as spices stimulate gastroesophageal reflux as well.

Excessive eating of sweets

Preparing sweets, especially oriental sweets that contain high percentages of oils and animal or vegetable ghee, are among the common customs and traditions during the month of Ramadan, but these types of sweets are mainly among the causes of heartburn in Ramadan.

The oils, dairy products, or fat-filled ingredients in sweets stimulate the secretion of acid in the stomach and the occurrence of stomach pain and heartburn after breakfast or suhoor.

Inactivity and sleep after breakfast

Inactivity and sleeping directly after breakfast is one of the most important bad habits that are the cause of stomach acidity in Ramadan, as stretching after breakfast or sahoor leads to stimulation of the valve relaxation between the stomach and esophagus, which stimulates the return of the acids secreted by the stomach into the esophagus and increases stomach pain after eating in Ramadan.

Stop taking stomach medications

Many patients, especially the elderly, get used to before the start of the holy month of taking their heartburn remedies and pills at specific times, such as early in the morning or after waking up before eating breakfast and before taking any other medications.

But when the holy month begins, patients may become confused about when to take their medications, which causes them not to take antacid medications, such as proton pump inhibitors to treat heartburn and heartburn.

Cessation of antacid medicines or taking them at the wrong time is one of the causes of heartburn in Ramadan, especially among the elderly among the elderly and those with chronic diseases who take many medications, such as strong painkillers, which may cause heartburn as one of its side effects.

Therefore, patients who are used to taking heartburn medication are advised permanently to consult a doctor to reschedule the times of taking medications in a manner that suits their health during the month of Ramadan.

Smoking excessively

Smoking addicts suffer from stopping smoking during the fasting period, which extends for long hours in the summer period, which makes them smoke a large number of cigarettes after breakfast or before the pre-dawn meal as a kind of compensation for the abstinence period.

However, smoking a lot stimulates the relaxation of the valve between the esophagus and stomach and stimulates the occurrence of acidity, so it is considered the cause of stomach acidity in Ramadan, especially in smokers.

Weight gain during Ramadan

A large percentage of people suffer during the month of Ramadan from an increase in their weight due to the increase in food intake, in addition to inactivity and lack of exercise.

Weight gain in a short time and obesity is one of the most important causes of stomach acidity in Ramadan, as the accumulation of fat in the abdominal area increases pressure on the stomach after eating and causes gastroesophageal reflux and a feeling of acidity in the fasting person.

Increase the preparation of acidic juices

Eating large quantities of juices with high acidity can cause heartburn when fasting, as a lot of drinking these juices may stimulate the production of stomach acid after eating during breakfast or suhoor, and these juices include:

1. Lemon juice and mint.
2. Soft drinks.
3. Tamarind juice.
4. Berry juice.
5. Drinking excess coffee

During the holy month, some people drink large quantities of coffee, especially immediately after the pre-dawn meal, to avoid sleeping after the pre-dawn meal and to stay awake in the early morning.

But drinking coffee that contains caffeine in large quantities in a row and in a short time is one of the most important factors linking suhoor and heartburn in Ramadan.

Does hunger cause heartburn in Ramadan?

Some believe that thinking about food is one of the causes of heartburn while fasting, and it is a correct belief that is based on a scientific explanation, and the following is the explanation:

The process of fasting and abstaining from food reduces the stomach secretions of acids, but thinking about food in excess or feeling it through the sense of smell stimulates the stomach to secrete acids that help digest food.

The secretion of acids in the stomach while it is devoid of food leads to heartburn and heartburn, and this is considered one of the causes of severe stomach pain when hungry and fasting.

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