Is it safe to fast with a lung condition?
There is 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.
Your GP or specialist can help you decide whether it’s safe for you to fast. They can also explain how fasting will affect your health and your 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.
In general, you should be able to fast if you are managing your lung condition well. However, it might not be practical for you to fast if it will affect your treatment. If you have had medical issues before because of fasting we recommend speaking to your healthcare professional.
The Qur'an says that you do not have to fast if you are 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.
If you get symptoms while fasting
The British Islamic Medical Association advises that if you become unwell during Ramadan, you should stop fasting and speak to a healthcare professional.
The most important thing is to make a decision that is safe and right for you. You don’t have to do this alone. You can speak to your local Imam and your healthcare professional for advice and support.
If you decide not to fast, the Qur’an says that you can fast at another time, when you are 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.
For most people, it is safe to fast if you are managing your asthma well.
You should not stop taking your preventer inhaler during Ramadan. Speak to your GP or asthma 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 them so that you know how to manage your condition well during Ramadan.
For most people, it is safe to fast if your COPD is well managed.
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.
If you live with bronchiectasis, your body can become dehydrated when you fast. This 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
So far, there is no research on pulmonary fibrosis and fasting. It might be unsafe to fast if you take medication to slow the scarring of your lungs (anti-fibrotic drugs). Your GP or specialist can give you the best advice about whether fasting is safe for you.
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 your body can become dehydrated, so you might find it harder to clear your lungs.
If you have CF diabetes, fasting could also cause your blood sugar levels to lower (hypoglycaemia). Low blood sugar levels can be dangerous if they are not treated quickly.
The Cystic Fibrosis Trust has more information about fasting with cystic fibrosis.
Will my medicines break my fast?
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.
It could be harmful to your health to stop taking your prescribed medicines, so have a conversation with your GP about the safest way to manage your condition during Ramadan if you plan to 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 |
| Home oxygen therapy | No | Carry on with your treatment as normal |
| Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine | No | Carry on with your treatment as normal |
| Injections, including the COVID-19 vaccines and antibiotic injections | No | Carry on getting injections as prescribed, it's important to get any vaccines that you need |
| Nicotine patches | No | Carry on using nicotine patches as normal |
| Nasal sprays | Nasal sprays do not break your fast if they do not go down your throat. With good technique this will not happen. 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 |
| Eye or ear drops | No | Carry on using your medicines as normal |
Stay well during Ramadan
What should I eat during Ramadan?
Eating well is very important for your health, especially if you live with a lung condition. A well-balanced diet can help you to stay strong, prevent chest infections and keep your lungs healthy.
When you first break your fast at Iftar, try to drink a lot of fluids. Water and milk can help your body rehydrate. It’s best to avoid food and drinks with added sugars, as these can make you dehydrated.
Low-fat foods and foods containing natural sugars provide nutrients and energy and can be good for breaking your fast in a healthy way. Good examples are soups and dried fruits like dates and prunes.
At Suhoor, try to eat starchy foods like rice, couscous and breads. 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 and we have more advice about eating well for lung health.
Physical activity while fasting
You might find it harder to be active while fasting, but keeping active is still important for managing your lung condition.
To stay healthy, you could do gentle activities like yoga or stretches. You could also try walking all or part of the way to prayers.
We also have information about how to keep active when you have a lung condition. It includes step-by-step aerobic and strength exercises that can help you stay healthy.
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 chewing gum too.
We can help you stop smoking before, during and after Ramadan.
Read more
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.