Excessive eating during Ramadan can cause sleep disorders: HMC sleep expert

Doha: Dr. Aisha Hussain Al Adab, Consultant of Pulmonology and Sleep Disorders at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), is cautioning that excessive night eating can negatively affect sleep quality and lead to sleep disorders.

“Meals eaten during Ramadan are often large and contain fried and sugary foods. Gatherings often turn into celebrations, with meals becoming feasts. Eating sensibly and avoiding large, excessive portions, especially directly before bedtime, is an important part of ensuring good sleep quality,” says Dr. Al Adab. According to Dr. Al Adab, due to the unique nature of Ramadan, many people have irregular sleeping times during the day because they stay awake late at night to perform acts of worship and to socialize. She says establishing and maintaining regular eating and sleeping patterns throughout the month is an important part of successfully ‘readjusting’ after Ramadan. She says this is particularly important for those who have experienced sleep deprivation or poor-quality sleep in the past.