Depends on the Physical Condition of the Kidney Sufferer
For people with chronic kidney disorders, the amount of urine produced decreases drastically and sometimes urine does not come out at all. This is because the size of the kidneys decreases and their function deteriorates. Fasting for people with chronic kidney disease can reduce fluid intake, reducing the kidney burden.
On the other hand, people with chronic kidney disease are advised not to drink too much because it can cause the body to swell due to little urine excretion. This condition can cause hyperkalemia. Excess water is the main cause of death for chronic kidney sufferers.
What you also need to know is that whether or not a kidney sufferer should fast depends on their physical condition. Kidney sufferers who experience issues such as polyuria, uncontrolled blood sugar levels, consistently high blood pressure, infections, and complications with heart function should not fast initially. Fasting can make these conditions worse.
Meanwhile, sufferers who are stable and do not have other complications can consider fasting during Ramadan. Of course, sufferers must first discuss this with their doctor to ensure their health is monitored.
Tips for Fasting for People with Kidney Disorders
If you get permission from a doctor, people with kidney problems can fast by applying the following tips:
- Check your health with a doctor regularly.
- Continue taking medication as recommended by your doctor.
- Avoid consuming foods that contain high salt and potassium.
- Maintain an ideal body weight.
- Manage stress as best as possible, as stress can trigger the production of parathyroid and adrenocorticotropic hormones, which can change the chemical composition of urine and trigger the formation of kidney stones.
- Ensure adequate body fluid intake by drinking approximately 2 liters of water a day or as recommended by a doctor based on your current medical condition. During fasting, you are advised to drink water with a 2-4-2 pattern: 2 glasses when breaking the fast, 4 glasses in the evening after breaking the fast until before dawn, and 2 glasses at dawn.
The Effect of Fasting on People with Kidney Disorders
Every day, the kidneys have various tasks for the body, but when fasting, this organ is allowed to rest for a while. This condition causes a person's urine volume to decrease. So, by reducing urine volume, the benefits of fasting for people with kidney disorders can help provide special protection for kidney function.
Not only that, a decrease in the volume of water in the blood can also trigger an increase in the function and work of red blood cells in the bodies of people with kidney disorders. Interestingly, this condition can also increase prostaglandins, which can improve the function and work of red blood cells.
In addition, stopping water consumption when fasting for people with kidney disorders, such as kidney failure, has been proven to be effective in increasing urine concentration in the kidneys. It can even increase the osmotic strength of urine by between 1,000-12,000 milliosmoles per kg of water. Under certain conditions, this can provide special protection for the kidneys.
It is important to emphasize that even though fasting benefits people with kidney disorders, sufferers must always pay attention to their health condition.
In essence, whether or not kidney sufferers can fast depends on the severity of their kidney problem. Therefore, you should discuss it with a doctor at Fitie. Download the application immediately on the App Store or Google Play!