Hepatitis patients having normal liver functions can opt for fasting

Rawalpindi:Medically, fasting among patients suffering from complications of hepatitis C such as contraction of liver called cirrhosis or ascites (distention of abdomen due to the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity) or liver cancer is not allowed however hepatitis B or C patients having normal liver functions may opt for a month-long fasting.

It is important that the lowering of blood sugar may prove to be life-threatening for patients suffering from complications of hepatitis and it may happen while fasting. The patients with chronic hepatitis B or C must take advice from a qualified physician before opting for fasting during Ramazan while the patients who have already developed complications of hepatitis should not fast.

According to Vice Chancellor at Rawalpindi Medical University Professor of Medicine Dr. Muhammad Umar, the simplest rule for patients of hepatitis B or C to be followed while opting for fasting in the holy month of Ramazan is that if their liver is functioning normal and they can eat anything like a healthy person, they can fast.

He has explained that if a patient of hepatitis B or C has ever vomited blood, he or she should not fast and similarly if a patient has ever suffered from unconsciousness, he should not fast. The patients of hepatitis B or C undergoing treatment may fast but the condition is that they never had any complications of the disease. Professor Umar who is a renowned gastroenterologist believes that the patients undergoing treatment for hepatitis while opting for fasting should consult their physicians as there may be a need for a change in schedule of some medicines. According to him, these patients while fasting in Ramazan cannot be allowed to discontinue medication.