​There are several types of kidney disease, and in order to decide whether or not to fast, patients are classified into sections according to the degree of the disease, in order to ensure their safety from complications, according to Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar.

In this report, we review tips about fasting for kidney patients and those who are allowed to fast, which are general and for guidance only. A kidney patient should consult his doctor before deciding on fasting.

Acute renal impairment

For patients with acute renal insufficiency, their health condition is critical, and they are prohibited from fasting until the condition of the kidneys improves and returns to normal.

Chronic kidney disease

The condition of nephropathy in patients with chronic kidney disease varies according to the stages of the disease.

Patients with kidney disease of the third degree and above are advised not to fast, because the kidneys at this stage are unable to retain body fluids, which may cause severe failure in their functions, and this may lead to severe kidney damage.

Also, fasting for a long period of time greatly reduces body fluids, and patients must refer to the treating doctor to find out the extent of the kidney injury and the effect of fasting on it.

Hemodialysis

Hemodialysis patients do dialysis 3 days a week, so they can fast on the rest of the week.

The dialysis process is accompanied by giving intravenous solutions, which invalidates the fast.

As for hemodialysis patients, in the event of their fasting, they must be careful of the amount of water they drink after breakfast, as it does not exceed one liter per day so that water does not collect inside the body on the heart and lungs.

Peritoneal dialysis

Patients with peritoneal dialysis (abdominal dialysis), which is performed by the patient himself at home, cannot fast due to the presence of nutrients in the dialysis fluids.

Kidney transplant

Kidney transplant patients are advised not to fast, because the transplanted kidney is affected by lack of fluids, and because they have to take medications regularly and at specific times. Also, most transplant patients have diabetes, and this increases the risk of fasting for the patient, so the attending physician must be consulted on an ongoing basis.

General tips for kidney patients in Ramadan

  • Ensure a variety and balance of daily food.

  • Do not neglect the pre-dawn meal so as not to weaken the patient's body, as kidney patients need more calories than normal people.

  • Take care not to increase salts while reducing foods that contain a high percentage of sodium, potassium and phosphorus, especially during Ramadan.

    Sodium is present in a large percentage in table salt, and potassium is in some vegetables, such as: tomatoes, potatoes, okra, and all green leaves.

    As well as some fruits such as: bananas, oranges, mangoes, dates, apricots, peaches, and yellow watermelon (melon).

    As for phosphorus, it is found in legumes, soft drinks, nuts, milk and its derivatives.

  • Not to be exposed to high temperatures while fasting.

  • Avoid eating salty foods.

  • Use a glass to drink water so that the amount of fluid does not exceed what is required.

  • You should reduce the intake of sweets, while making sure to eat low-fat foods.

    Kidney patients have a higher chance of developing cardiovascular disease.

  • Staying in constant contact with the dietician so that the patient remains aware of the foods that he can eat, which reduces the occurrence of possible complications.

  • Patients who take pills that reduce the level of phosphorous in the blood should take them during a meal and not before or after it.

  • Patients with renal insufficiency in the pre-dialysis stage, if the attending physician allows them to fast, they should reduce their intake of protein-rich foods.

    Excessive consumption of it causes excessive effort on the kidneys and leads to total failure of the kidneys. It also leads to an increase in toxic substances resulting from the digestion of proteins (urea) in the body, unlike dialysis patients. They need to increase proteins, especially animal ones. During the dialysis process, some proteins come out. The basic food that must be compensated.

  • The patient must consume normal fluids in the pre-dialysis stage, from 2 to 3 liters per day if the amount of urine he has is normal, but if his urine is less than the normal rate, he must reduce the amount of fluids to prevent more fluid retention in his body;

    Which leads to complications on the heart and lungs.

8 golden rules for maintaining kidney health

  • Maintaining activity and movement, according to the World Kidney Day website.

  • Maintaining a normal blood sugar level.

  • Blood pressure measurement.

  • Eat healthy food and maintain a stable weight.

  • Take the daily need of purified water.

  • Non-smoking.

  • Do not take over-the-counter medications, especially painkillers and antibiotics.

  • The necessity of examining the kidney function in the event that you suffer from a disease that may affect the kidney.