Causes of heartburn during Ramadan: 12 factors that affect your fasting

are Heartburn among the most common health problems that plague those fasting during Ramadan, preventing them from experiencing the comfort and tranquility they seek during this holy month. Many suffer from a burning pain that extends from the stomach to the chest, making it essential to understand the underlying causes of this phenomenon in order to avoid it.

Dietary habits and their biological effects during fasting

Historically, fasting was considered a golden opportunity to rest the digestive system and cleanse the body of toxins. However, shifts in modern dietary patterns in the Arab and Islamic world have altered this equation. With the introduction of foods high in fats and complex sugars to Ramadan tables, the digestive system now faces a significant challenge in processing large quantities of food in a short period after long hours of fasting, leading to disruption of the stomach's biological clock and increased acid secretion.

According to medical sources, heartburn, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), occurs when stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, causing an uncomfortable burning sensation behind the breastbone. This condition worsens when lying down or bending over, positions that are common during rest or prayer.

Common causes of heartburn during Ramadan

Several factors combine to make heartburn during Ramadan a difficult experience for those fasting, and among the most prominent of these reasons are:

• Overeating and overindulgence in food: Eating large amounts of food all at once at breakfast fills the stomach and increases pressure on the valve separating the stomach and esophagus.
• Food type: Dishes rich in fats and fried foods (such as samosas and luqaimat), spicy foods, citrus fruits, and tomatoes require a longer time to digest and increase acidity.
• Weight gain and obesity: Excess weight puts pressure on the stomach, pushing its contents upwards towards the esophagus.
• Smoking and caffeine: Nicotine and caffeine relax the lower esophageal sphincter muscle, making it easier for acid to reflux.
• Sleeping immediately after eating: Lying down immediately after the pre-dawn meal (suhoor) or breakfast negates the effect of gravity that helps keep food in the stomach.
• Medications and medical conditions: Some medications, such as painkillers and antibiotics, and conditions such as hiatal hernia, increase the chances of infection.

The implications of acidity on public health and religious practices

The impact of this problem is not limited to physical pain; it extends to the psychological and spiritual well-being of those fasting. Locally and regionally, hospital emergency departments during Ramadan record a significant increase in suspected heart attack cases that later turn out to be acute episodes of heartburn and acid reflux. This intense pain can prevent fasters from performing Taraweeh and Qiyam prayers, and affect their productivity the following day due to sleep disturbances caused by the pain.

Furthermore, some may experience heartburn during the day in Ramadan even without food, because the stomach, which is accustomed to specific meal times, continues to secrete its acids, or as a result of inhaling food smells that stimulate digestive juices, which requires smart management of the diet throughout the month.