a challenge for many - Staying away from coffee and

Almost the middle of Ramadhan and some people are still battling out some challenges such as overcoming coffee and tea withdrawal symptoms.
The coffee shop culture has been growing over the last few years with people preferring even to work and conduct meetings from coffeeshops. And now they are closed during the day time.
Dr Manal al Zedjali said, 'I like coffee. But I don't drink it during Ramadhan because it causes acidity and it makes you lose sleep. But I have my tea at suhoor because I would have my withdrawal symptoms such as headache during the day and that is not good while I am working'.

Maliha al Zarai aims for the Omani Kahwa at the iftar table.
'I drink kahwa because I need something hot to break the fast', she explained.
Nasra al Toqi looked at Karak tea and said, 'I have not had tea during the whole of Ramadhan until today. Now that I have seen it I must have a cup'.
The health experts will urge you to take it easy with your craving for tea and coffee during the days of fasting.
Dr Dilip Singvi, Specialist, Internal Medicine, Burjeel Hospital said a concern that must be kept in mind is the fact that after 12 or 13 hours of fast, the stomach is completely empty and acid is produced. Precautions should be taken.
'The best way to open the fast is to start with something light such as dates water and light snacks. So some digestion starts in the stomach and then if they want to take tea they can after 15 to 20 minutes. The precaution to be taken is not to take tea or coffee on an empty stomach. If they do so, it can increase the acidity symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. Especially patients who have heart diseases, hypertension and diabetes should not take it in empty stomach'.
Symptoms of acidity are an exertion on the body and even the blood pressure can go up, he pointed out.

'Most importantly stick to one cup or maximum two cups, not more than that', he urged.
Cardiologist Dr Mujeeb Ahamed, Burjeel Hospital also noted that it is not advisable to have coffee in empty stomach as it can cause gastric irritation.
'In cardiac perspective if some one is already taking coffee regularly, they can take coffee during the evenings of Ramadhan as their body is already adjusted to that.
But new experience is not good because it can cause increased heart beat and palpitations', Dr Mujeeb noted.
In fact one had to prepare in advance to handle coffee and tea withdrawals.
Clinical nutritionist at the Ministry of Health, Shabib al Kalbani explained that to overcome caffeine withdrawal symptoms during Ramadhan one has to reduce his/her caffeine intake one to two weeks prior to Ramadhan while simultaneously stay hydrated by taking in sufficient amount of water and fruits such as watermelon.
'During Ramadhan it is important to refrain from caffeine consumption at suhoor so that circadian rhythms are not disrupted', he said.

Children and elderly are more at risk of dehydration so for those who do fast it is important to stay hydrated during non fasting hours and limit as much as possible tea/coffee/soft drinks including sugar free caffeinated types.
Tea and coffee are diuretics. For every cup of coffee at night, experts advice that we should drink two cups of water to prevent daytime fatigue.
The 'Water-First Rule' is to be remembered especially if one is trying to fast for the first time. It is important to stay hydrated with water and dates at iftar before reaching for the teapot or aim for the espresso machine.
How can we manage the symptoms?
Light Exercise: A short walk before iftar can help increase circulation and alleviate mild headaches.
Sleep Hygiene: Caffeine late at night can ruin the limited sleep window between Taraweeh and suhoor. So the advice given is to cut off caffeine at least four hours before sleeping.