pandemic
Muslims receive the first day of the blessed month of fasting, which differs, by its nature, from the rest of the months of the year, as appointments, habits and daily routines change. However, in our current year, a global pandemic (Covid-19) has come over the universe, with the imposition of curfews, home quarantine and social distancing between individuals, including new routines and new appointments that we have not been familiar with before.
We used to talk every year this month to people suffering from chronic diseases (such as diabetes, pressure, heart and kidneys ...), and this year we will add to them "Corona patients" and "quarantined in their homes", and also "asthma patients" who are most vulnerable and vulnerable to the emerging corona disease .
Asthma and Corona
> What is the relationship of "asthma" to the emerging corona virus? Prof. Imad Abdul Qadir Koshak, Consultant of Internal Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, - that people with asthma are more likely than others to develop severe emerging coronavirus disease (Covid-19) that can affect the respiratory system (nose, throat, lungs) It causes symptoms of acute asthma attacks, and may also lead to pneumonia and severe respiratory diseases.
A chronic allergic asthma patient suffers an acute asthma attack when he is exposed to "asthma triggers", which are of two types: either allergens (such as pollen, house mites, fungi, animals, food ...) or irritants (such as smoke, pollution, perfumes, cold air, lack of sleep ...). It is essential for each patient to identify the important triggers for his condition, by performing special allergy tests in the skin or in the blood, which are available from allergy and immunologists. They also learn the most effective way to avoid triggers, irritants and allergens that may increase symptoms. Patient, watch out for an asthma attack when you cannot avoid the triggers.
Among the most common triggers, according to the CDC''s website, are: tobacco smoke - dust mites - outdoor air pollution - cockroaches - pets - fungi (mold) - smoke from burning wood or grass - some allergenic foods and food additives. - Infection with influenza viruses, colds, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus - Allergic rhinitis and sinus infections that must be controlled - Inhalation of some chemicals such as cleaning materials, fumes, etc., which should be avoided - Acid reflux in the esophagus, and various methods of treatment should be followed - Physical exercise and vigorous exercise - Certain medications that irritate asthma, such as aspirin, analgesics, and blood pressure medications, which should be avoided and changed under the supervision of your doctor - Bad weather conditions such as thunderstorms or dust storms - Breathing in very cold, dry air or high humidity - Strong emotions can trigger To very rapid breathing, called hyperventilation, which can also cause an asthma attack.
> Does an asthma patient fast? Professor Koshak replies that an asthma patient can fast as long as the asthma attacks are stable and do not need to take oral medications, or they are mild and respond to long-acting tablets or sprays, so that they are given at breakfast and the pre-dawn meal. But some asthma patients who need to take two or more puffs of asthma puffs when feeling tight in the chest, and then the patient returns to his daily life normally.
As for the patient who suffers severe crises, he should not continue fasting, but rather he must take the inhaler and appropriate treatment immediately. But it is necessary to break the fast, of course, when a severe asthma attack occurs, as the patient often needs to be hospitalized to receive intensive treatment for it. It should also break the fast if an asthma attack did not respond to the usual treatment. Here, we should point out that abstaining from food and drink in this case clearly reduces the fluidity of the chest secretions, and thus it is difficult to excrete them. The most important thing is to avoid allergens and irritants, and eat healthy food, at breakfast and the pre-dawn meal, that boosts the immune system.
> What are the precautions for an asthma patient during an outbreak of Corona. Koshak stresses the importance of the asthma patient being prepared during the month of Ramadan, which resolves during the outbreak of the new Corona virus (Covid-19), by taking special precautions, according to the website of the Saudi Ministry of Health, including:
Stock up on sufficient supplies such as medicines and sprays, especially preventive treatments that contain cortisone, and be on a regular basis on the treatment plan and do not change it without consulting a doctor.
In the period of an epidemic, stay away from triggers (allergens and irritants) of asthma symptoms.
With the discovery of more cases of "Corona" and the imposition of measures to combat its spread, the asthma patient must be supported to cope with stress and anxiety, as strong emotions may lead to an acute asthma attack.
When there is a sick person at home, he should stay away from the rest of the family to reduce the risk of the virus spreading among them.
Take daily precautions to keep enough space for the patient to separate him from others.
Stay home as much as possible to reduce the risk of exposure, and avoid crowds and markets, as these are places where you may be sick.
Clean hands by washing with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid sharing personal household items such as mugs and towels. Finally, Professor Imad Koshak confirms that every asthma patient can control his asthma attacks during this period, especially if he follows the mentioned precautions!
Corona patients and those who are quarantined
Dr. Karima bint Muhammad Qouta, a family physician at King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah, spoke to "your health" and explained that the category of people with Corona disease or those who are internally quarantined on suspicion of being infected can fast, subject to the approval of the treating physician, as long as they are in good health and do not complain of dehydration. Treating with prescribed medications taking their medication during breakfast and constipation without affecting their health and the development of their disease. They must break the fast if they feel symptoms such as dehydration, high temperature, shortness of breath, diarrhea or vomiting, or an increase in symptoms.
And Dr. Generous with the importance of electronic medical applications in our current situation, and with the curfew and the difficulty for the patient to go to the doctor at any time, such as the Sehha app, the hotline 937. Or aid me, or hospital applications that I have put in place for their patients for easy communication with the medical staff, requesting the dispensing of medicines and access to the results of the tests Electronically and without personally attending the health facilities.
On social or physical distancing, she said that social communication and psychological support between family members and friends is required, especially in times of crises such as the current global pandemic, but it must be without gatherings. in his home. This is what we mean by the term "distance or physical distancing", as it is a beautiful term that relieves people of the curfew and the danger of gatherings, provides psychological and social support, fights tension and anxiety, and thus enhances immunity that fights all diseases.
Chronic patients and corona
Dr. Karima Qouta indicates the interest of scientific studies in the impact of fasting on the health of healthy individuals and patients, and she clarified the recommendations based on scientific evidence, in cooperation with Islamic organizations, who can fast and who cannot, when the patient is allowed to break his fast, and how the timing of medicines and so on changes.
It is known, in general, that diseases are of two types: The first is acute, emergency and sudden diseases in which the patient can fast unless he is committed to a medicine (that reaches the stomach) and must be taken during the day or exposure to severe fatigue that prevents the continuation of fasting, so there is no harm in him breaking the fast and then making up the days That I break my fast. The second is chronic diseases such as diabetes, stress, heart and kidney disease, and it requires consulting a doctor early before Ramadan to organize medication appointments and ensure the possibility of fasting without exposure to health complications.
According to medical guidelines, patients with chronic diseases are divided, in terms of fasting during Ramadan, into three categories, which are:
> The first section, patients who are completely in control of their disease (they can fast for the entire month), such as those who are not exposed to complications of the disease, and those who take medicines at night and have no side effects that interfere with fasting ... etc. These are explained to them on how to use the drugs? And when should they see a doctor? What are the signs that they should break their fast? And what do they do in an emergency, such as high or low blood sugar, shortness of breath, chest pain, and others.
> The second section, semi-control patients with their disease who are most at risk (fasting cautiously with medical supervision), such as those on insulin injections, pregnant women, pregnant women with diabetes and on diet or metformin only, those who control type 1 diabetes, kidney patients in the third stage Patients with stable heart conditions who follow up with their doctors or have complications, patients are on medications that may affect their mental state or consciousness.
And they are obliged to break the fast when the danger signs determined by the doctor appear, and to abide by the use of medicines in the manner prescribed to them during Ramadan, and to know the complications expected to occur, how to avoid them and how to deal with them.
> The third section, patients who have no control over their disease (they must break the fast), such as those who were admitted to the hospital during the previous three months due to the same disease or its complications, diabetic patients who had a diabetic coma of any of its types during the three months preceding Ramadan or who suffered from multiple s and rises before Ramadan Patients with type 1 diabetes who have no control over their disease or are irregular in their treatments, patients who previously reached the stage of low diabetes without feeling its symptoms, a woman with gestational diabetes who uses insulin whether she developed it before pregnancy or during pregnancy, kidney patients of fourth and fifth degree and dialysis patients, Elderly patients, especially those whose consciousness is unstable, patients with stable chronic diseases, their condition if they come from a sudden acute illness, patients with unstable thyroid gland, their condition and are still under changing treatment doses to reach control of the gland or have had sudden health ailments, patients with convulsions or epilepsy who are not controlled in Their illness or those who fast caused them to have seizures.
Although doctors warn this group, some of them insist on fasting. In this case, they should measure blood sugar and blood pressure several times a day, and the need to take medications regularly, breakfast when there is any early sign of potential complications and see a doctor immediately.
An expected vaccine against "Covid 19"
> International pharmaceutical companies are competing, and their scientists and researchers are working to quickly find a vaccine that will save humanity from this epidemic. It is clear that no one company will be able to do everything alone, and it requires cooperation between companies in order to reach the vaccine and and supply sufficient quant
