Lebaran or Eid al-Fitr is a festive moment to gather with family and friends.

Apart from being a moment of togetherness, Lebaran is also identical with various delicious dishes such as opor ayam, rendang, sayur labu, sambal goreng hati, and sweet pastries such as nastar, putri salju, kastengel, and many more. However, post-Lebaran celebration can trigger several health problems.

Here are some health problems that need to be aware of after Lebaran:
 

1. Increased Lipid Profile:

Typical foods served during Lebaran have high fat and coconut milk content, which can increase the lipid profile in the blood. For those who have a history of high cholesterol and triglycerides, they need to refrain from consuming it excessively.

Some indicators tested in lipid profile examinations include total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein), LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein), and VLDL (Very Low-Density Lipoprotein). The lipid profile is a good indicator to predict whether someone has a high risk of getting heart disease. The normal values for lipid levels in Indonesia are as follows:

Total cholesterol < 200

LDL cholesterol < 130

HDL cholesterol > 45

Triglycerides < 150

Total cholesterol is the sum of all the cholesterol content in a patient's blood, produced by the body itself and also coming from the food consumed (animal products). Cholesterol is needed by the body to maintain cell health, but a level that is too high can increase the risk of heart disease. Genetic factors also play a role in determining cholesterol levels, in addition to the food consumed.

2. High Blood Sugar Levels:

High blood sugar levels can also increase the risk of serious diseases that often occur after Lebaran. High blood sugar levels after Lebaran can occur due to an unhealthy eating pattern, such as consuming too much sweet food and drinks. Signs of high blood sugar levels include frequent urination, feeling thirsty all the time, fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, and toothache.

Diabetes is also one of the diseases with a high mortality rate in the world. The risks that need to be aware of for people with diabetes are the vulnerability to a number of disorders such as slow-healing wounds, blindness, dental problems, heart and stroke disease, kidney damage, nerve damage, cancer, endometria, decreased immune system, and weakened memory.

3. Hypertension:

This disease needs to be aware of, especially for those who have a history of high blood pressure or conditions where someone experiences blood pressure above normal, which is more than 120/80 mmHg. Foods with high salt content are often found during Lebaran, which can be one of the triggers for a rise in blood pressure. It is necessary to be aware of the symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, chest pain, blurry vision, and blood in the urine. However, in addition to food, hypertension can also be triggered by mental stress or excessive fatigue. Some foods that can trigger hypertension include foods with high salt content, processed meats, and canned foods. Usually, the symptoms of hypertension are marked by dizziness, headaches, nausea, fatigue, and blurry vision. If left untreated, hypertension can trigger problems with the heart and stroke.

4. Gastritis

One of the causes of complaints related to the digestive system or stomach ulcers is changes in dietary patterns, including the types of food consumed during Eid al-Fitr. One type of food that should be limited for ulcer sufferers is spicy and fatty food, which are commonly served during Eid. Overconsumption of spicy food, eating late, or consuming large portions in one sitting can trigger a recurrence of stomach ulcers.

Gastritis is an inflammation that affects the stomach lining, causing swelling of the stomach and detachment of the superficial mucosal epithelium, which is the most important cause of digestive system disorders. The detachment of the epithelium can stimulate inflammation in the stomach. The main cause of gastritis is the Helicobacter pylori bacterium, although viruses or other parasites can also cause it. Contributors to acute gastritis include excessive alcohol consumption, food contamination, and cocaine use. Corticosteroids such as NSAID aspirin and ibuprofen can also cause gastritis. Some symptoms of gastritis include epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, a feeling of fullness in the stomach, and belching.

Clinical manifestations of gastritis include:

1. Acute gastritis:

Ulceration may occur and can cause hemorrhage.

Abdominal discomfort with headaches, fatigue, nausea, and anorexia. Accompanied by vomiting and hiccups.

Colic and diarrhea may occur if irritating foods are not vomited.

2. Chronic gastritis:

In chronic gastritis, there is a loss of appetite, pain in the upper abdomen after eating, bloating, a sour taste in the mouth, or nausea and vomiting. Complications that can be caused by gastritis include upper gastrointestinal bleeding (hematemesis and melena), which can lead to hemorrhagic shock. For upper gastrointestinal bleeding, it is necessary to differentiate between peptic ulcers. The clinical manifestations are almost the same, but the main cause of peptic ulcers is Helicobacter pylori, which accounts for 100% of duodenal ulcers and 60-90% of stomach ulcers. A definite diagnosis can be made by endoscopy.

5. Diarrhea

Another condition that often arises after Eid al-Fitr is diarrhea. Diarrhea is a bowel movement with a soft or liquid consistency, and can even be just water, occurring more frequently than usual (three times or more) in one day. Diarrhea is a sudden change in stool consistency due to an excess of water in the stool (more than 10 ml/kg/day) with an increase in defecation frequency of more than 3 times in 24 hours, lasting less than 14 days. Often, diarrhea occurs due to changes in dietary patterns or consuming unhygienic food and drinks. Therefore, it is important for us to keep our food clean and hygienic during Eid.

The effects of diarrhea include:

• Fatigue and dizziness
• Loss of appetite
• Large amounts of loose or liquid stools
• Appearance of blood in the stool
• Nausea and vomiting
• Difficulty holding bowel movements
• Abdominal pain or even cramping
• Feeling constantly thirsty or dehydrated
• Fever.

The basic mechanism that causes diarrhea includes:

1. Osmotic disturbances

The presence of food or substances that cannot be absorbed will increase osmotic pressure in the intestinal cavity, causing a shift of water and electrolytes into the intestinal cavity. The excess content in the intestinal cavity will stimulate the intestine to remove it, causing diarrhea.

2. Secretion Disorders

Stimulation by certain factors (such as toxins) on the intestinal wall can lead to an increase in secretion of water and electrolytes into the intestinal cavity, resulting in diarrhea due to the increased content in the intestine.

3. Intestinal Motility Disorders

Hyperperistalsis can lead to a reduced chance for the intestines to absorb food, resulting in diarrhea. Conversely, if intestinal peristalsis decreases, bacterial overgrowth may occur, leading to diarrhea as well.

Intensive laboratory examinations are necessary to determine the presence of diarrhea accompanied by complications and dehydration. Blood tests are necessary to determine the Analysis of Blood Gas (AGD), which indicates metabolic acidosis. Stool tests are also performed to determine polymorphonuclear leukocytes, which differentiate between bacterial and viral infections, positive stool cultures for harmful organisms. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) can confirm the presence of rotavirus in the feces.

TIPS TO AVOID HEALTH PROBLEMS AFTER EID AL-FITR

The various health risks that commonly arise after Eid al-Fitr mentioned above do not mean that we should not prepare special meals during the month of Eid. Nor should they make us feel threatened by the presence of food on the table. To enjoy the Eid al-Fitr celebration while avoiding the risk of disease recurrence, there are several things we can do:
 

Drink plenty of water

Drinking more water will have a better impact on the body, especially if you consume a minimum of 2 liters of water per day. This is because drinking water can remove toxins from the body.

Eat more fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins and other beneficial substances for our bodies. The various vitamins contained in fruits and the fiber in vegetables will boost our immune systems, making our bodies less susceptible to diseases caused by viruses or bacteria.

Limit excessive sugar consumption

Gathering with family and enjoying dry cakes and various sweet and fresh drinks on the table is a pleasant atmosphere. However, consuming too much food with high sugar and fat content can potentially lead to cholesterol and diabetes. A good daily sugar intake is 50 grams, equivalent to 5-9 teaspoons.

Exercise

We can do light exercises such as walking or jogging in the morning, push-ups or sit-ups, skipping, and other activities for about 15-30 minutes each day, or choose a physical activity that suits our ability and body capacity.

Author: Dr. Deni Ariani (Medical Laboratory Consultant at PRAMITA Clinic, Jl. Kelapa Dua Raya No. 18 Jakarta)