Managing epilepsy in Ramadan: guidance for healthcare providers and patients

Mahmood, A., Abbasi, H. N., Ghouri, N. , Mohammed, R. and Leach, J. P. (2020) Managing epilepsy in Ramadan: guidance for healthcare providers and patients. Epilepsy and Behavior, 111, 107117. (doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107117) (PMID:32599428)

Abstract

Ramadan is a regularly recurring period of fasting that takes place in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. For this period, adult Muslims refrain from eating and drinking between dawn and sunset. The variation in summer daylight hours means that at temperate latitudes, fasting can last up to 20 h. It is already recognized that epilepsy control can deteriorate during Ramadan, and this may be explained by fasting-related changes to adherence to antiseizure drug regimes. This article provides specific advice to help Muslim patients prepare for Ramadan and reduce chances of exacerbation in epilepsy. In addition to advice around sleep hygiene, it explores the use of drugs or preparations of drugs that will demonstrate reduced variation during periods of fasting.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Ghouri, Dr Nazim and Abbasi, Hina and Mahmood, Dr Ammad and Leach, Dr John Paul
• Authors: Mahmood, A., Abbasi, H. N., Ghouri, N., Mohammed, R., and Leach, J. P.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Epilepsy and Behavior
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 1525-5050
• ISSN (Online): 1525-5069
• Published Online: 26 June 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc
• First Published: First published in Epilepsy and Behavior 111:107117
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy