Ramadan and liver disorders

The fast of holy month of ramadan is observed religiously across the globe by muslims. during some seasons and in some regions of the world,the duration of fast may extend from more than 15 hours over 24 hours,thereby adding to the stress on bodies of people with physical limitations either due to illness or some other obstacle. same is the case with patients with liver disorders. this review article summarizes the effects of fasting on patients with liver disorders and also sets forward some conclusions from previously conducted studies regarding fasting in patients with acute hepatitis with or without liver failure,non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (nafld),viral hepatitis b and c,chronic hepatitis,child grades a,b,and c cirrhosis,liver disorders and concomitant diabetes mellitus,and post-liver transplant. the article concludes that fasting has proven to be beneficial in patients with nafld. patients with chronic stable hepatitis and child grade a cirrhosis with no past history of variceal bleeds can safely fast while the other categories of cirrhotics should refrain from fasting owing to high associated risks of hepatic decompensation. patients with stable viral hepatitis can also fast safely,while patients with acute liver failure,concomitant diabetes mellitus and post-liver transplant patients should avoid fasting. © 2017,khyber medical college. all rights reserved.