Fasting advice for chronic kidney patients

Nephrology Specialist. Dr. Mehmet Büyükbakkal stated that chronic kidney patients apply to the physicians to fast during Ramadan. Nephrology Specialist. Dr. Mehmet Büyükbakkal said, „With the coming of Ramadan, many patients apply to doctors to ask if they can fast. According to the Qur’an, travelers, children, menstruating, pregnant or breastfeeding women and those with illness are exempt from fasting. Despite this exemption, Many people, including patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney transplant, want to fast to share this special moment with their families.Each patient’s characteristics are different, patients should be approached individually about fasting.

Prolonged hunger and thirst can adversely affect kidney function. Kidney stone patients, kidney transplant patients, kidney failure patients, dialysis patients, heart failure patients who need to take regular medication and diet and fasting of diabetes patients can adversely affect kidney functions. It is recommended that individuals with known kidney disease who want to fast should consult with their doctor before each month of Ramadan and decide whether or not to fast accordingly. If patients whose diseases are not at an advanced stage and whose general condition is good, if they want to keep the Ramadan fast, it is recommended that they have their kidney functions checked weekly before continuing the fast.

exp. Dr. Mehmet Büyükbakkal stated that, according to the authorities, patients who do not need to drink water constantly, who use one or two drugs, who do not have kidney failure and whose blood pressure is under control, can fast, provided that they get the approval of their doctors, but patients with GFR <60 ml/min and those with heart disease, lung disease, He also noted that it may be inconvenient for patients with multiple health problems such as liver disease and diabetes to fast.