Ramadan, the ninth month in Islam’s lunar calendar, is probably the most sacred time of the 12 months for Muslims. It’s when the Holy Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. Muslims observe Ramadan by rising our worship, which incorporates prayers, giving to charity, and fasting from food and drinks from dawn to sunset. It’s a difficult, however spiritually fulfilling month.

There’s a lot knowledge in Islam, together with when it comes to well-being. Along with the non secular advantages this month brings us, one meta-analysis means that fasting for Ramadan can also result in optimistic bodily well being modifications. However for folks taking sure drugs, notably these with continual circumstances (together with psychological well being diagnoses) that want extended and constant care, fasting for Ramadan could also be contraindicated—that means, it’s not secure for these folks, or they could want remedy changes to securely quick. In case you’re taking a prescription med for a long-term situation, you possibly can nonetheless have a significant and observant month with out probably throwing your well being off target.

Don’t attempt to regulate your drugs by yourself—for each medical and non secular causes.

Initially: Don’t self-adjust any of your prescription drugs. In case you can’t seek the advice of a well being care supplier that will help you make a plan earlier than Ramadan begins, it’s finest to proceed taking your drugs as prescribed somewhat than fasting—and that is in sync with what the spiritual steerage is right here, too. If fasting have been to trigger you hurt, it turns into haram (forbidden). That features if forgoing remedy, or altering the schedule you’re taking it on, exacerbated an sickness or signs of a well being situation.

It’s vital to honor your bodily and psychological well-being. As a Muslim, your well being is your non secular precedence: Based on a hadith (saying of the Prophet), “Your physique has a proper over you.” “Fasting just isn’t presupposed to be a hardship,” Mona Masood, DO, a Philadelphia-based board-certified psychiatrist and board member of the Muslim Wellness Basis, tells SELF. If a health care provider advises you to not quick due to medically crucial drugs, know that it then turns into your spiritual obligation to heed that recommendation not to quick. Islam is a faith of moderation and sustainability; because the Prophet Muhammad stated in a hadith, “Faith is straightforward, and nobody overburdens himself in his faith however he shall be unable to proceed in that manner”—that means, don’t go to excessive ends which may hurt you to observe religion, as a result of that’s truly antithetical to being devoted.

Verify with a well being care supplier about potential choices for altering your remedy routine.

Sheeba Rahman, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist based mostly in Florida, tells SELF she advises folks to keep in mind that their particular person well being wants are distinctive, and that it’s vital to not generalize medical recommendation. “Anybody taking prescription remedy ought to seek the advice of with a health care provider earlier than fasting,” says Dr. Rahman. She explains that it’s vital to inform your physician precisely when and for the way lengthy you’ll be fasting to allow them to make changes accordingly, because the dosage energy, frequency, or timing could change when fasting. Some drugs could possibly be taken with suhoor or iftar, so you possibly can nonetheless quick, however all the time examine with a prescribing physician first.

Ali Nasir, DO, FACOI, a board-certified inside drugs doctor based mostly in Pompano Seaside, Florida, tells SELF he recommends a “pre-Ramadan evaluation” as step one for anybody with well being considerations who intends to quick. Mainly, examine in with a well being care supplier about your plans, and see what changes you would possibly must make to your schedule to be able to hold your well being wants met. “If drugs are long-acting, your doctor could advise you to vary the time you’re taking your remedy so you possibly can take it throughout non-fasting hours,” Dr. Nasir says. Some doses and regimens for medicine taken usually, like these for sure cardiological circumstances, may be simply adjusted to align to your quick (however, once more, don’t make this name by yourself with out the recommendation of a well being care supplier).