Chhath Puja 2023: Keeping The Three Day Fast? Expert Shares Signs That It's Damaging Your Health

Chhath is being celebrated with all pomp and flair across India, with millions of devotees offering their servitude to god by keeping a stringent three day fast that restricts any food and water intake.

While having the discipline to observe such a fast is commendable, it also takes a toll on your health which may not be ideal for everyone. To know the health conditions under which people should not keep the Chhath Puja fast, and signs that your three day fasting is seriously damaging your health, the team of OnlyMyHealth spoke to Pooja Shah Bhave, Dietician and Diabetes Educator, Assisting Chief Fitness Officer, CEAT Limited.

Who Should Not Keep Chhath Puja Fast

Listing a set of medical conditions, under which people should avoid observing such an extensive fast, or atleast consult a healthcare professional before keeping the fast, Bhave shared:

• People suffering from type-1 and type-2 diabetes
• Heart patients
• People suffering chronic kidney, lung, and liver disease
• Cancer patients
• People dealing with a disorder where the blood sugar levels drop below normal
• People who are suffering from infection 
• People who have lost tremendous weight due to unknown reasons 
• People diagnosed with gastro-intestinal disorders like inflammatory bowel disorder, gastric or intestinal ulcers, and severe acidity 
• Pregnant women and breast feeding mothers
• Elderly people who are weak and underweight

Also Read: Chhath Puja 2023: Follow These Expert Backed Tips To Avoid Stomach Problems During Chhath Puja Fast

Signs That Your Health Is Being Damaged By Fasting

The Chhath Puja fast is not just strenuous for people dealing with debilitating medical conditions. Not eating or drinking anything for three days is bound to put a strain on anyone observing such a fast. Hence, Bhave listed a set of signs and symptoms, which mean that the three day fast is damaging your health to an extent where continuing the fast can be dangerous:

• Severe nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, and stomach pain.
• Low blood sugar levels characterised by an extreme feeling of hunger followed by nausea, shakiness, jitters, lightheadedness, delirium, disorientation, poor hand eye coordination, breathlessness, and fainting.
• Ignoring the above signs of low blood sugar can result in comma or death.
• Chest pain, breathlessness, severe palpitation, extremely high or low heart rate or blood pressure.
• Dizziness, blurred vision, or blacking out.

Also Read: Chhath Puja 2023: Here’s How You Can Maintain Your Energy Levels During Chhath Puja Fast

Bhave concluded that beyond having serious medical conditions, people who are not habituated to fasting at all should also be cautious. She strongly urged that if you notice any of the above symptoms, stop your fasting immediately. In case you experience low blood sugar levels as a result of fasting, have a teaspoon full of sugar or a glass of glucose water urgently.