Khaberni - As Ramadan nearly reaches its midpoint, many fasters notice what is known as "late stomach shock".
In this case, fasters feel their stomachs are full, experience burning, and bloating immediately after breaking their fast, despite the same meals not causing them any problems in the early days of the month.
Late stomach shock appears after two weeks of fasting
Medical studies indicate that this type of disorder usually occurs as a result of biological body changes and the digestive system after two weeks of repeated fasting, and not just because of the type of food alone.
During the early days of Ramadan, the body gradually adapts to the daily fasting pattern, where long hours without food are followed by two main meals at Iftar and Suhoor.
However, by mid-month, the digestive system starts to change the timing of enzyme secretion and digestion, which means that the stomach becomes more sensitive to food at Iftar, especially if it is rich in fats or sugars.
Why does late stomach shock appear now specifically?
And Dr. Yasin Hamdi, a Digestive System Consultant at the Egyptian Ministry of Health, says that the late stomach shock appears at this time for several reasons, including:
First: Change in meal size: After two weeks, many fasters tend to eat larger and fattier meals to compensate for the hunger felt in the previous days.
Second: Increased stomach sensitivity: The stomach adapts to the daily fasting, and any sudden increase in the size of the food or fats can cause a digestive shock.
Third: Disruption of the biological clock: The digestive system begins to adjust the timing of digestive juice secretion, making digestion slower at Iftar.
Late stomach shock appears after two weeks of fasting
Tips to Avoid Late Stomach Shock
To avoid late stomach shock, Dr. Hamdi recommends several interventions, most notably:
First: Reduce the size of the first meal at Iftar: Start with dates and water, then a small balanced meal.
Second: Avoid excessive fats and sugars at Iftar and Suhoor.
Third: Chew well to facilitate digestion and reduce bloating.
Fourth: Drink water gradually instead of large amounts at once.
Fifth: Monitor bodily signals: If a faster feels discomfort, it is preferable to wait before consuming the main meal.
