Is it safe to fast with a lung condition?
There's not a lot of scientific evidence about fasting. That’s why it’s important to speak to your GP or specialist if you have a lung condition and are thinking about fasting. They can help you decide whether it’s safe for you to fast and explain how it could affect your health and treatment.
We know from calls to our helpline that some people find it hard to get a GP appointment. Read our advice about getting in touch with your GP.
You should be able to fast if you’re managing your lung condition well, but it might not be practical for you if it affects your treatment. If you’ve had medical issues because of fasting in the past, we recommend speaking to your healthcare professional.
The Qur'an says that you do not have to fast if you’re physically ill, mentally ill or very frail. However, we understand that choosing to fast is a very personal decision. You might choose to fast even if you do not have to.
The most important thing is to make a decision that’s safe and right for you. You do not have to do this alone. You can speak to your local Imam and your healthcare professional for advice and support.
For most people, it is safe to fast if you're managing your asthma well.
You should keep taking your preventer inhaler during Ramadan. Speak to your GP or nurse to find out whether you can change the time you take your medicines. For example, you might be able to take your preventer inhalers in between Iftar and Suhoor instead.
You could also go through your asthma action plan, MART asthma action plan or AIR asthma action plan with your GP or nurse so that you know how to manage your condition well during Ramadan.
For most people, it’s safe to fast if your COPD is managed well.
Your GP or specialist can give you more advice about fasting. You could also go through your COPD self-management plan with them so that you know how to manage your condition well during Ramadan.
Fasting could affect your health if you have bronchiectasis. Your GP or specialist can give you the best advice about fasting.
You can become dehydrated when you fast which might make it harder to clear your lungs. Having too much phlegm can also mean you’re more likely to get a chest infection.
Staying hydrated can help to make the mucus in your lungs thinner. When your mucus is thin, it’s easier to clear your lungs.
So far, there’s limited research on pulmonary fibrosis and fasting. It might be unsafe to fast if you take anti-fibrotic drugs. This is medicine that slows the scarring of your lungs.
Your GP or specialist can give you the best advice about whether fasting is safe for you.
Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis has more information about fasting with pulmonary fibrosis.
Fasting could affect your health if you have CF. Your GP or specialist can give you the best advice about fasting.
If you live with CF, staying hydrated can help to make the mucus in your lungs thinner. When your mucus is thin, it’s easier to clear your lungs.
When you fast, you may be dehydrated and your mucus will be thicker than usual. This means it might be harder to clear your lungs.
If you have CF diabetes, fasting could also cause your blood sugar levels to fall. This is called hypoglycaemia. Low blood sugar levels can be dangerous if they’re not treated quickly.
The Cystic Fibrosis Trust has more information about fasting with cystic fibrosis.
What to do if you feel unwell when you're fasting
The British Islamic Medical Association advises that if you become unwell during Ramadan, you should stop fasting and speak to a healthcare professional.
If you decide not to fast, the Qur’an says that you can fast at another time when you’re well. For example, you could make up your fasts during winter, when the days are shorter. The Qur’an also says that if you cannot fast at all, you could help to feed those in need instead.
Will my medicines break my fast?
It could be harmful to your health to stop taking your prescribed medicines. It’s always best to ask your local Imam for advice about taking specific medicines because there are different opinions about which medicines break your fast.
Generally, taking medicine through your mouth or nose is considered to break your fast during Ramadan. We have more information about which medicines break your fast in the tables below.
Medicines that could break your fast
Medicine or treatment |
Will it break my fast? |
What should I do? |
| Inhaled medicines, including inhalers and nebulisers | Scholars do not agree about whether inhalers and nebulisers break your fast. Some do not believe that they break your fast because they target your lungs, not your stomach. | Speak to your GP or specialist before fasting. They might be able to change your medicines. They could also change the dose of your medicines or the times that you take them. |
| Tablets, including oral steroids and antibiotics | Yes | Speak to your GP or specialist before fasting. They might be able to change your medicines. They could also change the dose of your medicines or the times that you take them. |
| Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine | Scholars believe that CPAP machines will break your fast if they have a humidifier. This is because the water vapour goes into your throat. | Speak to your GP or specialist before fasting. Most CPAP machines come with built in humidifiers but sometimes they can be separate. Your GP can help you decide whether you’ll still be able to manage your condition well if you use your CPAP machine without a humidifier. |
| Nasal sprays | Nasal sprays do not break your fast if they do not go down your throat. This should not happen if you’re using a good technique. Watch our short video to find out how to take your nasal spray properly. | Speak to your GP or specialist before fasting. They might be able to change your medicines. They could also change the dose of your medicines or the times that you take them. |
Medicines that will not break your fast
Medicine or treatment |
What should I do? |
| Home oxygen therapy | Carry on with your treatment as normal. |
| Injections, including the flu, RSV, pneumonia and COVID-19 vaccines and antibiotic injections | Carry on getting injections as prescribed. It’s important to get any vaccines and medicines that you need. |
| Nicotine patches | Carry on using nicotine patches as normal. |
| Eye or ear drops | Carry on using your medicines as normal. |
Stay well during Ramadan
What should I eat during Ramadan?
When you first break your fast at Iftar, try to drink a lot of fluids. It’s important to help your body rehydrate with healthy drinks like water and milk. This is because you can become dehydrated when you fast, which might make it harder to clear your lungs. Staying hydrated can help to make the mucus in your lungs thinner. When your mucus is thin, it’s easier to clear your lungs.
Low-fat foods and foods that have natural sugars provide nutrients and energy. They can be good for breaking your fast in a healthy way. Good examples include soups and dried fruits like dates and prunes. Try to avoid food and drinks that have lots of salt and sugar, as these can make you dehydrated.
At Suhoor, try to eat starchy foods like rice, couscous and bread. Choose high-fibre or wholegrain options if you can as these will help to keep you full for longer.
The British Nutrition Foundation has more examples of the types of food you could eat while fasting.
Eating well is very important for your health, especially if you live with a lung condition. A balanced diet can help you stay strong, prevent chest infections and keep your lungs healthy. We have more advice about eating well for lung health.
Physical activity while fasting
You might find it harder to keep active while fasting but it’s still important for managing your lung condition.
To stay active, you could do gentle activities like yoga or stretches. You could also try walking all or part of the way to prayers.
You may also find our Keep Active programme helpful. It includes activities you can do easily at home. These can be a great way to get moving in your own time at a pace that suits you.
Stop smoking this Ramadan
If you smoke, Ramadan is a great time to quit smoking or vaping as you’ll already be going some of the day without it.
Most scholars believe that nicotine patches do not break your fast, so you could use them to help you quit during the day. After sunset, you could use sprays and nicotine gum too.
We can help you stop smoking before, during and after Ramadan.
Celebrating Eid al-Fitr
You might be around fireworks when you’re celebrating Eid al-Fitr. The smoke and chemicals from fireworks could make your lung condition symptoms worse. They can cause an asthma attack or flare-up of your lung condition.
We have information on staying well around fireworks.
Read more
Fireworks and bonfires with a lung condition
Healthy eating and weight
Getting a GP appointment
Get support
Call or WhatsApp our Helpline for support with your condition. Get advice on your medicines, symptoms or travelling with a lung condition, or just call us to say hello.
